Real stumble to first defeat
Sunday, October 21, 2007

The two remaining unbeaten records were wiped away on Saturday as Real Madrid and Barcelona both tasted their first defeats of the season as Espanyol and Villarreal upset the formbook.

Real knew they could move five points clear of Barcelona at the top after their rivals lost 3-1 to Villarreal but failed to capitalise on that slip as they fell to their first defeat of the season in a 2-1 loss at Espanyol.

Despite the defeat champions Real stay top but are just one point ahead of Villarreal and Valencia who defeated Deportivo La Coruna 4-2.

Bernd Schuster had watched his Real team collect 19 points out of possible 21 under his reign but the German coach suffered his first league defeat in charge as Espanyol outclassed his team and could have scored more but for the heroics of Iker Casillas.

Albert Riera, who scored on his Spain debut against Denmark last weekend, put Espanyol ahead in the very first minute with a free header and Raul Tamudo, who also scored against Denmark, added a second with a brilliant chip after the interval.

Sergio Ramos scored late on for Real but it was all in vain. Espanyol, now just three points behind the leaders, are proving this season's giantkillers having beaten Sevilla, Valencia and now Real.

Real need to pick themselves up for Wednesday's Champions League match with Olympiakos.

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