Real pull away as Barcelona crash

MADRID, Spain -- Real Madrid went five points ahead of Barcelona at the top of the Primera Liga, thanks to a scrappy 3-2 win at Recreativo Huelva, where three players were sent off, while neighbors Atletico Madrid beat Barca 4-2.

Real made a bad start at Huelva when Recreativo defender Martin Caceres latched onto a Carlos Martins free kick to open the scoring 16 minutes but 11 minutes they were presented with an equalizer.

A poor clearance by Huelva defender Iago Bouzon went straight to the feet of Royston Drenthe and the Dutch winger's high cross was headed home by Real captain Raul Gonzalez.

It was a good way for Raul to celebrate going equal second, along with club legend Carlos Santillana, on the Real rankings of all-time appearances for the club.

The pair have played for the Spanish giants 643 times and only Raul's former teammate, and captain Manuel Sanchis, is ahead of him with 708 appearances.

Recreativo were then reduced to 10 men just five minutes after the break when their Portuguese international defender Beto was sent off after reacting to a Gabriel Heinze challenge, stabbing a finger in the Argentine's face.

Five minutes later it was 10-a-side when Sergio Ramos, well below his best, picked up his second yellow card, but Real's one-man advantage was restored when Recreativo's Quique Alvarez was shown a direct red card by referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez for a wild tackle on Arjen Robben after 67 minutes.

Robinho put Real ahead after 72 minutes, picking up a loose ball and squeezing it between Recreativo keeper Stefano Sorrentino and his left post, just seconds after coming on the pitch.

The Brazilian, playing his first game for three weeks after a stomach muscle strain, then added his 10th goal of the season a minute from the end.

Martins added Recreativo's second goal in injury time.

Barcelona had much of the possession for the first half hour against Atletico, and Ronaldinho put the visitors ahead with a spectacular overhead kick from a Xavi Hernandez cross.

The goal seemed to spark Atletico into life and Kun Aguero, who had been doubtful with a thigh problem, equalized six minutes later, his powerful shot taking a wicked deflection off Barca captain Carles Puyol.

Maxi Rodriguez then put Atletico in the lead three minutes before the break, slotting the ball past Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes from a narrow angle.

Forlan added Atletico's third from the penalty spot just after the hour, after Puyol felled Aguero in the area.

Aguero then added to Barcelona's embarrassment after 70 minutes, sprinting from the midfield before unleashing a superb right foot shot from the end of the area.

Samuel Eto'o pulled one back for Barca three minutes later.

Atletico's win keeps them in fourth place, a position consolidated after Sevilla went down 2-1 at lowly Deportivo La Coruna.

Malian striker Fredi Kanoute controversially opened the scoring after 25 minutes, when he found the net from a seemingly offside position.

Deportivo equalized 10 minutes later through a Christian Wilhelmsson penalty after Sevilla midfielder Enzo Maresca had wrestled Rodolfo Bodipo to the ground.

Angel Lafita scored Deportivo's winner midway through the second half with a rasping shot from just outside the area, lifting the Galician side out of the relegation zone.

Espanyol moved above Sevilla into fifth place following their 2-0 win at home to Valencia with a goal in each half from Luis Garcia. E-mail to a friend