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Real crash to defeat in La Coruna

An own goal by defender Pepe consigned Real Madrid to a 1-0 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna to extend the Spanish champion's wretched record at the Riazor Stadium.

Real turned up on the north west coast seeking to end a winless run there stretching back to the 1991-1992 season.

But the Madrid giants will have to wait another season to halt the run after an insipid encounter burst into life in the 58th minute when Deportivo's Felipe beat off Real defender Miguel Torres on the left.

The Brazilian's goalbound shot then took a deflection off fellow Brazilian Pepe's outstretched leg wrong-footing keeper Iker Casillas.

Deportivo were well worth their three points against a Real Madrid side sorely missing Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Meanwhile, Saturday's game between Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao was cut short in the 72nd minute by the referee after Athletic's keeper Armando was struck by a bottle of water thrown from the stands.

He had to leave the pitch on a stretcher. Athletic were leading 2-1 at the time the encounter at the Manuel Ruiz ground was stopped.

"Armando suffered a blow to the right eye and has bruising and a cut in the same area. He has had stitches," read a statement on the club's official Web site.

Elsewhere Recreativo Huelva prevailed 4-2 over Real Murcia with Florent Sinama-Pongolle getting a double for Recreativo.

Saturday's late kick-off saw a 2-1 win for Sevilla, who have turned the corner after a poor start to the season to put themselves back in contention for Champions League football next term.

Two goals by Luis Fabiano pushed Sevilla up to fourth with Valencia treading water in 10th.
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