Real Madrid moved six points clear at the top following their 3-1 home victory against Sevilla on Sunday night. The Merengues now have 65 points, six more than second-placed Villarreal, who went above Barcelona, 58. Argentinean defender Gabriel Heinze opened the scoring after seven minutes, but Malian ace Frederic Kanoute equalized eight minutes from the break. However, captain Raul Gonzalez restored Real's lead two minutes later, and Gonzalo Higuain concluded the victory in the 63rd minute. Coach Bernd Schuster deployed a three-pronged attack with Raul in front and Arjen Robben and Higuain running on the flanks. Heinze scored his first ever goal for Real when he connected with Wesley Sneijder's free kick before heading past the keeper to give his side an early advantage. The hosts could have doubled the lead in the 24th minute but Sevilla keeper Andres Palop made some heroic saves to deny Higuain, Raul and Guti. Seconds later, Raul was sent clear by Higuain but Palop got off his line and cleared the danger. Sevilla were struggling to find their way to Iker Casillas' goal. However Luis Fabiano came close to scoring but Heinze, who excelled at both ends of the pitch, made a fine tackle to clear the ball. But the visitors' efforts finally paid off as Seydou Keita headed the ball to his fellow countryman Kanoute, who struck the equalizer. Just two minutes later, captain Raul restored his side's advantage with a powerful volley from close range. Schuster's men were firmly in control of the game and forced Palop to produce one of his best ever performances as he denied another goal from Higuain in a one-on-one situation. But the Argentinean striker insisted to get his name on the score sheet after the goal was put on a plate for him by Guti.
