La Liga wrap: Important wins for Almeria, Real

Almeria climbed off the bottom of the La Liga table with a 3-2 win over relegation rivals Osasuna on Sunday.

Jose Luis Oltra’s men got off to a dream start, with goals to Carlos Garcia Badias and Leonardo Ulloa putting them two-up after just 11 minutes.

Badias was on the end of a Hernan Bernadello corner to finish from inside the six-yard box, before Michel’s cross found Argentine striker Ulloa three minutes later to give the hosts a strong lead.

Osasuna pulled a goal back via the boot of Carlos Aranda, whose shot from the edge of the area sparked the visitors into action.

But they could not find an equaliser, and shortly after the break the home side restored their two-goal buffer when Ulloa scored his second from Michael Jakobsen’s cross.

Osasuna striker Dejan Lekic struck two minutes into second-half injury time to create some nervous moments for Almeria but they held on for three vital points, lifting them to 18th on the table and just one point from safety.

Real Madrid kept the gap between themselves and Barcelona to four points on the table, with a 1-0 victory over Mallorca.

France forward Karim Benzema’s strike in the 61st minute was all Jose Mourinho’s side needed to get maximum points from the clash at the Bernabeu.

Espanyol consolidated their fifth placing on the table with a 3-1 win away to Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Miku put the hosts ahead in the 14th minute, and they maintained their lead to the break.

But it was all Espanyol after half-time, as Luis Garcia, Jose Callejon and Sergio Garcia all netted in the space of 12 minutes.

Real Zaragoza continued their resurgent league form, bringing up their third win in four with a 1-0 triumph over Deportivo La Coruna.

Sporting Gijon upset Atletico Madrid 1-0 home, with striker David Barral on target for the victors.