Madrid - Real Madrid stumbled out of their crisis with a streaky 1-0 home win Saturday over spirited but naive Recreativo Huelva. Real won with a 39th-minute goal from Wesley Sneijder, whose powerful left-footed drive took a wicked deflection off Huelva defender Beto and spun over hapless keeper Asier Riesgo.
The whites did not play well but could have widened their lead in the second half. Huelva showed some neat approach play but lacked power and decision in attack.
The latest defeat leaves Huelva, Spain's oldest club, second from bottom with just seven points. They left the Bernabeu complaining about a Pepe handball that was not given as a penalty.
"We just about deserved to win," said Real captain Raul. "They pushed us hard, but I always thought that we were in control."
He said that Saturday's victory "should serve as a turning point for us."
The win will reduce the pressure on embattled coach Bernd Schuster.
Because of Villarreal's shock 3-0 home defeat against midtable Valladolid, Real are now second, two points behind leaders Barcelona, who are at home Sunday against Getafe.
Real now have 26 points from 12 games, and Villarreal have 25. In joint fourth place on 24 points are Sevilla and Valencia, who played out a 0-0 draw later Saturday.
Villarreal were stunned by two first-half goals from Valladolid left-winger Jonathan Sesma. Pedro Leon made it 3-0 just before the interval, taking advantage of more hesitancy in the Villarreal defence.
Villarreal failed to improve in the second half, and Valladolid had few problems in holding out for an important win.
Then came the tense, tight Sevilla-Valencia draw, which leaves both teams tied on 24 points in fourth place.
The game had more rhythm than chances, more expectation than fulfillment and more control than inspiration. Both teams will need to become more creative and imaginative if they wish to challenge for the title.
