Adebayor frustrated as Real lose more ground

REAL MADRID’S title hopes suffered a huge blow after they slumped to defeat at the hands of lowly Osasuna last night.

Javier Camunas’ goal just after the hour-mark consigned Madrid to only their second league loss of the season, but one that leaves Jose Mourinho’s men seven points behind rampant leaders Barcelona.

Madrid had their chances in the first half, with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo both being denied by good saves by Ricardo Lopez in the home goal.

Ronaldo drove another shot just inches wide of the far post 10 minutes into the second half, but Mourinho’s side were stunned in the 62nd minute when Madrid-born Camunas beat the offside trap to fire home via a post.

Mourinho responded to that by sending on new loan signing Emmanuel Adebayor for his debut, but despite laying siege to the home side’s goal, Real could not find a way through.

The pressure on Madrid to win was increased after Lionel Messi scored two late goals as Barcelona beat 10-man Hercules 3-0 on Saturday.

Pedro gave Barca the lead two minutes before the interval, but the win was still in doubt until Messi’s late intervention.

Villarreal’s Giuseppe Rossi scored on the stroke of half-time to see off Espanyol and keep his side on track for the Champions League, while Gaizka Toquero struck his first goals of the season to earn Athletic Bilbao a 2-0 victory over fellow European hopefuls Atletico Madrid.

In Italy, Edinson Cavani put Sampdoria to the sword as Napoli kept the heat on Serie A leaders AC Milan with a 4-1 win yesterday.

The Uruguayan scored a hat-trick with Marek Hamsik also on target for the hosts, 24 hours after leaders AC Milan, who had Mark van Bommel sent off, beat Catania 2-0.

Title-chasing Lazio also enjoyed a 2-0 win as they made no mistake against Fiorentina, while Serie A’s form team Udinese came from a goal down to beat Juventus 2-1 in Turin.

Inter Milan also completed a stunning fightback as Samuel Eto’o scored from the spot to complete a 3-2 win having been 2-0 adrift.

* RANGERS set up a Co-operative Insurance Cup final meeting with Old Firm rivals Celtic with a 2-1 semi-final victory over Motherwell yesterday.