Real thump Deportivo 4-0 to go second

MADRID, Mar 26 (Reuters) Real Madrid moved up to second place in the Primera Liga behind leaders Barcelona today as they thrashed Deportivo Coruna 4-0 at the Bernabeu.

Real are now 11 points adrift of Barca, whose under-strength team were held to a 0-0 draw at bottom club Malaga yesterday as they prepare to face Benfica in the Champions League.

Osasuna are two points further back on 55 after losing 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday while Valencia remain on 53 points following their 1-0 defeat away to Sevilla.

Depor defender Hector scored an own goal after just nine minutes at the Bernabeu and Brazilian striker Ronaldo returned to form by scoring Real Madrid's second before the break.

Sergio Ramos and Julio Baptista rounded off the scoring in the second half to add extra spice to next week's trip to face arch-rivals Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Jordi Lopez put Sevilla in the hunt for a Champions League place by scoring an injury-time header to sink Valencia.

The midfielder had scooped a penalty against the bar in the 76th minute after Roberto Ayala had brought down Argentine compatriot Javier Saviola and was sent off for the challenge.

Fifth-placed Sevilla climbed to within two points of Valencia, who occupy the final Champions League spot.

First-half goals from Pablo Contreras and Fernando Baiano gave Celta Vigo a 2-0 home win over Real Mallorca to put the Galicians sixth on 48 points.

Malaga prop up the table with 23 points after Saturday's draw at home to Barca and are three points below Cadiz who are at home to Atletico Madrid later yesterday.

Real Sociedad are third from bottom with 28 points after losing 2-1 at Getafe.

Reuters PDS VP0125