Stoke City 0 Leicester 1

Atletico Madrid won the battle in yesterday’s Spanish capital ‘derbi’ with a stirring and gutsy performance which skirted the lines of law at times.

Something most unusual is happening in Spain. There are signs that La Liga could turn into a genuine competition.

It was foggy last Sunday lunchtime in suburban Madrid, but reporters at Getafe v Rayo Vallecano could still make out the well wrapped-up figure of Phil Neville sitting in the plusher seats directly in front of the press box.

Fit-again Cristiano Ronaldo says he will be available for Real Madrid’s next match as he looks to resume what he believes is possibly his best-ever start to a season.

“Barcelona on a roll...

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti played down the injury-enforced substitution of Cristiano Ronaldo during yesterday’s 5-0 win over Almeria, insisting it was only “a little problem”.

European round-up

Miroslav Djukic looked a dead coach walking after his Valencia side’s 1-2 home defeat to La Liga’s bottom club Almeria on Wednesday.

Neil Lennon believes the absence of Lionel Messi from tonight’s Champions League clash with Barcelona at Celtic Park is a boost for Celtic, but insists it is also “tinged with sadness”.

Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Barcelona’s Champions League trip to Celtic after suffering a thigh injury in last night’s 2-0 win over Almeria.

Barcelona defender Adriano is keeping his fingers crossed the injury Lionel Messi picked up during their record-breaking 2-0 win at Almeria is nothing serious, admitting the Spanish champions are a different proposition with the Argentina ace in their line-up.

Tito Vilanova is stepping down as coach of Barcelona to continue his treatment for cancer, club president Sandro Rosell has confirmed.

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has been forced to step down to focus on his fight against cancer.

Barcelona have called a press conference for this evening amid reports coach Tito Vilanova is going to step down.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is targeting significant signings in the next month as he seeks to bring in proven performers.

Wigan have signed Almeria winger Albert Crusat on an initial two-year deal, the club have confirmed.

Despite poor punditry it is one of the globe’s elite competitions

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was keen to share his success with his team-mates after breaking the Primera Division single-season scoring record.

Kaka believes his two goals in the 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao will do wonders for his confidence as he seeks to show doubting Real Madrid fans what he can really do after a season of disappointment.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says his team will set out to attack in next weekend’s Clasico against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, despite holding an eight-point lead over Jose Mourinho’s side with only seven league games remaining.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has warned “this isn’t over” despite seeing his side build a 5-1 first leg lead in their Champions League quarter-final tie against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Barcelona’s lead over Real Madrid at the top of the Primera Division is down to five points after they were held 1-1 by Sevilla in a thrilling contest at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan this evening.

REAL MADRID overcame the second-minute dismissal of Iker Casillas to beat Espanyol 1-0 last night and move to within five points of fierce rivals Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division.

Emmanuel Adebayor spoke of his delight after making a goalscoring home debut for Real Madrid to help his side through to a Copa del Rey final showdown against Barcelona.

Karim Benzema rescued Real Madrid as they clawed back some of the deficit on Primera Division leaders Barcelona with a 1-0 victory over Real Mallorca tonight.

Jose Mourinho is confident that his Real Madrid side can still win the Primera Division title, despite falling four points behind Barcelona with a 1-1 draw at Almeria.

BARCELONA star Lionel Messi is set to spend up to three weeks on the sidelines with an ankle sprain.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has had his appeal against a €15,000 fine rejected by the Spanish football federation.

Argentina 1 Nigeria 0

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini hailed his side’s spirit and mental strength as they closed the gap on Primera Division leaders Barcelona to one point with a 2-0 home win over third-placed Valencia.

IF there is one thing that captures the Spanish soul for us foreigners it’s flamenco.

Barcelona have suffered another blow with the news that key midfielder Xavi will be sidelined for around two weeks through injury.

Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli insists the signing of reported Arsenal target Felipe Melo is not yet a done deal.

Arsenal target Felipe Melo has moved to end speculation about his future by signing a one-year contract extension at Fiorentina.

Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini has named midfield duo Cani and Mati Fernandez in a 20-man squad for this week’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal.

Villarreal will welcome back key midfielder Marcos Senna for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Arsenal.

FORGOTTEN striker Bojan Krkic scored his first league goals of the season as Barcelona restored their six-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish Primera Liga with a 2-0 win at Almeria last night.

SPANISH football is known for the spectacular, but even by La Liga standards Saturday was extraordinary.

REAL MADRID striker Gonzalo Higuain hailed his side’s fighting spirit after Bernd Schuster’s side claimed an incredible Primera Liga victory over Malaga on Saturday.

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has been named in a 20-man squad by Nigeria to face South Africa in a joint 2010 World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifier early next month.

Valencia have reached an agreement with Unai Emery to become their new coach, the Primera Liga club announced on Thursday.

FOR drama and surprise there is nothing quite like La Liga, although the Premier League shows signs of running it close this season.