Real Madrid rallied back from 2-0 down at home to Sevilla to win a thrilling game of 3-2 reaching top of the Spanish La Liga.

Madrid looked to be heading to its first home defeat of the season after a Xabi Alonso's own goal and a free kick from Dragotinovich put the visitors ahead.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos leveled the scores and Madriad laid siege to the Sevilla goal.

The winning goal came in injury time after Rafael Van der Vaart forced the ball home after Sevilla keeper Andres Palop failed to hold a Gonzalo Higuain header.

Madrid go top thanks to Barcelona's failure to win away to Almeria, drawing a tense game 2-2.

Barca twice fought back with Leo Messi goals after Cisma and a Puyol's own goal had twice put Almeria ahead. The reigning champions had striker Zlatan Ibrahimovich sent off for using an elbow and coach Pep Guardiola sent to the stands for protesting.

With Sevilla losing and Valencia playing on Monday the three sides in the chasing pack all took advantage and closed in on a top four place.

Mallorca moved above Sevilla thanks to a 3-0 home win against Sporting Gijon. Julio Alvarez and two goals from Victor gave Gregorio Manzano's side its 12th home win of the campaign.

Deportivo la Coruna beat struggling Tenerife 3-1 after going a goal down.

Juan Rodriguez, Guardado and Colotto all scored for Deportivo to leave Tenerife second from bottom of the table.

Meanwhile two first half goals from Gaizka Toquero gave Athletic Club Bilbao a straightforward win over a relegation haunted Valladolid that has yet to win under the guidance of new coach Onesimo Sanchez,

Elsewhere, Osasuna vs. Getafe and Espanyol against Valladolid produced dull 0-0 draws.

Xerez produced the shock of the day with a 4-2 win in Malaga. Xerez went into the game bottom of the table with only two wins all season, but Momo scored twice in their stunning win.

Xerez was helped by Malaga midfielder Duda being sent off midway through the second half, but the home side should have done better after Valdo put them 2-1 ahead 10 minutes after the break.

It was Gioda and Orellana scored in the last 15 minutes for Xerez to give the club a survival lifeline.

Ibrahima scored an injury goal to give Atletico Madrid a point they barely deserved away to Zaragoza.

Jarosik had opened the scoring after seven minutes, while Atleico also had winger Jose Antonio Reyes sent off.