Madrid, which had already beaten Sporting 7-1 this season, never looked threatened as Fernando Gago sent a long drive just over the bar in the 40th.

Madrid coach Juande Ramos moved Marcelo up from his usual left back spot to the flank and the Brazil international responded by chipping over the onrushing Lafuente in the 49th after Higuain had played him clear down the left side with a backheel pass.

Huntelaar appeared to be onside in the 72nd when he headed in Ramos' cross but the goal was waived off for offside.

Kanoute's goals left Espanyol winless in 14 games and in last place.

In the 64th, Espanyol midfielder Milan "Lola" Smiljanic was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Kanoute took advantage in the 84th by scoring from Jesus Navas' low cross, although Espanyol's players complained the striker had pushed defender Nicolas Pareja before receiving the pass.

Kanoute sealed Sevilla's victory in injury time when he ran in unmarked to meet Navas' cross to score his eighth goal of the season.

Atletico coach Abel Resino saw his team drop its first points since he replaced the fired Javier Aguirre.

Diego Forlan side-footed Atletico into the lead from Giourkas Seitaridis' cross from the right in the 33rd minute. The goal was the Uruguayan's 15th of the season.

Getafe wasted the chance for an equalizer when another Uruguayan, Juan Albin, sent an 80th-minute penalty over the crossbar.

Albin made amends eight minutes later by diving to head in a goal after Ikechukwu Uche's scissors kick had sent the ball across the goal.

Nine-man Almeria rallied to snap a two-game losing skid with Alvaro Negredo scoring a 79th-minute winner.

Valladolid was leading 2-0 by the 22nd minute after goals from Pedro Leon and Henok Goitom, but Almeria started its rally with Albert Crusat's 62nd-minute goal.

Two minutes later, the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Bruno Saltor was red-carded for a dangerous tackle on Leon.

Kalu Uche equalized in the 71st after his header from a tight angle glanced off goalkeeper Justo Villar into goal but was then sent off soon after for putting a straight-arm to Victoriano "Nano" Rivas.

Negredo chipped into the empty goal after catching Villar out and Valladolid played out with 10 from the 82nd after Nano picked up his second yellow card.

At the San Mames, Aitor Tornavaca was well-placed in the 34th to score for Recreativo, but Gaizka Toquero answered for Athletic in the 51st.

Aritz Aduriz volleyed Juan Arango's cross inside the far corner in the 22nd as Mallorca dropped Numancia into 19th.

Also on Saturday, Deportivo drew 0-0 with Osasuna.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily February 16, 2009)