Real made to wait for title

REAL MADRID fans were hoping to see their team crowned champions again last night when they met Athletic Bilbao in one of Spain’s traditional grudge games, but Villarreal in second place are still not prepared to throw in the towel despite being 10 points behind.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side has shown far more determination than Barcelona in pursuit of the league leaders, even if results haven’t always gone their way, and the coach said after a hard-fought win at Real Betis: “It was important for us to reach second place, four points ahead of Barcelona. Our duty is to remain there to ensure Champions League football next season.”

On Saturday, Manchester United’s next opponents went to Deportivo La Coruna, but in truth they hardly turned up. It was hard on their back-up keeper José Manuel Pinto who was given his debut behind a group of players who were mainly going through the motions.