Madrid top in Spain

Real Madrid claimed top spot in the Primera Division following a 1-0 win over Racing Santander and Barcelona's 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao.

Madrid had gone top thanks to a steady if unspectacular win over Racing, secured by Gonzalo Higuain's first-half goal, but had to wait for the outcome of Barca's trip to San Mames in the late kick-off to find out if it would stay there.

The Spanish and European champion looked on course to reclaim its place at the summit when Dani Alves opened the scoring in the 54th minute. Xavi squeezed an angled pass through to the Brazilian, who produced a calm right-footed finish across Athletic keeper Gorka Iraizoz and into the bottom-right corner.

However, the hosts levelled nine minutes later when Fernando Llorente beat Dimitro Chygrynskiy in the air and flicked on for substitute Gaizka Toquero, who dispatched a clinical right-footed shot into Victor Valdes' top-right corner.

Barca pressed but could not find a winning goal and will head into next week's El Clasico a point behind its fierce rivals.

Sevilla survived a late Tenerife fightback to hold on for an eighth league win of the season to consolidate third place.

Manolo Jimenez's side took control just after the half-hour when Diego Perotti struck the opener. Renato then doubled its lead three minutes after the break and the three points looked guaranteed.

But there were some nervous moments for the Andalusians late on after Nino pulled a goal back with 15 minutes still left on the clock.

Andres Guardado converted a dramatic last-minute penalty to give Deportivo La Coruna a 2-1 win in a lively clash with Atletico Madrid, condemning the visitors to a third straight defeat under new coach Quique Sanchez Flores.

Deportivo has enjoyed an excellent start to the season and came into the game in fifth but it looked to be in trouble early on as Sergio Aguero struck after just three minutes for Atletico.

Miguel Angel Lotina's side came back into it when Diego Colotto equalised after 20 minutes and, just when the game appeared to be heading towards a stalemate, Pablo brought down Alberto Lopo and Guardado kept his cool after Atletico's fierce protests - which saw Cleber Santana sent off and Sanchez Flores race on to the pitch - to coolly fire the winner.

Tenerife 1 (Nino 76)
Sevilla FC 2 (Perotti 32, Renato 48)

Deportivo La Coruna 2 (Colotto 22, Guardado 90p)
Atletico Madrid 1 (Aguero 3)

Real Madrid 1 (Higuain 22)
Racing Santander 0

Athletic Bilbao 1 (Toquero 63)
Barcelona 1 (Dani Alves 54)