Real stay in touch as Raul makes winning return

REAL MADRID’S hopes of winning the Primera Liga are still alive and the return of striker Raul after three months out injured has given coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro even more reason for optimism about the future.

Real’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Alaves on Saturday maintained their challenge for the Spanish title although, soon after the game finished, rivals Barcelona thrashed Betis 5-1 in the Nou Camp to maintain a seven -point gap at the top of La Liga.

Valencia stole a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad after a second-half brace from Mario Regueiro in San Sebastien to go second last night.