Nine-man Real keep pressure on Barcelona

Full-back Michel Salgado was the unlikely hero as nine-man Real Madrid came back from a goal down to snatch a vital 2-1 win against Villarreal that keeps them in the race for the Primera Liga title.

Salgado side-footed home from 12 yards to give Madrid all three points.

Visitors Villarreal had taken the lead thanks to a 38th-minute Juan Roman Riquelme penalty and had looked good value for their lead after the first 45 minutes before Ronaldo equalised with 20 minutes to go.

Real defender Walter Samuel was then sent off before Salgado scored what proved to be the decider.

In stoppage time Real playmaker Zinedine Zidane and Villarreal’s Quique Alvarez were also banished by referee Bernardino Gonzalez Vazquez.

In the second half Michael Owen saw a shot saved and David Beckham was inches away from setting up Raul with a smart header.

Osasuna recorded their third consecutive 1-0 win as John Aloisi’s strike after just three minutes was enough to see off Atletico Madrid at the El Sadar Stadium.