Joy for Sevilla, embarrassing defeat for Real

MADRID, Dec 21 (Reuters) Primera Liga leaders Sevilla crushed Deportivo Coruna 4-0 while Real Madrid suffered an embarrassing 3-0 home defeat by Recreativo Huelva in their final game before the Christmas break.

Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute scored two goals to take his tally for the season to 14, Luis Fabiano weighed in with a header and fellow Brazilian Daniel Alves struck a superb free kick to spark wild celebrations at the Sanchez Pizjuan yesterday.

Real's defeat was overshadowed by the death of three visiting fans and the driver after a supporters' coach crashed on the way to the game.

''We have brought some happiness to our fans but there is no compensation for the loss of a life,'' Recreativo coach Marcelino told reporters.

Former Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle put Real one down 10 minutes before halftime after spinning past World and European Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro and firing high into the net past Iker Casillas.

Nigerian striker Ikechukwu Uche added to Cannavaro's misery when he shimmied past the Italian to shoot past a helpless Casillas.

Midfielder Emilio Viqueira completed the rout with a stunning free kick in the final minute.

''It was inexplicable,'' said Real coach Fabio Capello. ''We were unrecognisable out there. Recreativo played very well and deserved to win.'' Sevilla's home victory put the UEFA Cup holders four points clear of Barcelona at the top although the champions, who host Atletico Madrid on Thursday, have two games in hand.

REAL JEERS Real's defeat, their second at the Bernabeu this season, was greeted by a deafening chorus of jeers from their fans and left the team five points off the pace in third position.

Kanoute kicked off the party at the Sanchez Pizjuan when he poked the ball into an empty net after Depor keeper Dudu Aouate let an angled shot from Luis Fabiano slip through his grasp in the 28th minute.

The Mali striker made it 2-0 from the penalty spot 19 minutes into the second half after Luis Fabiano had tumbled over in the area.

Luis Fabiano produced a bullet header from an Alves free kick before Alves added the icing on the cake by curling the ball over the wall and into the net from a 20-metre free kick.

Depor, who have gone nine games without a win, are 15th, four points off the relegation zone.

Osasuna collected their fifth league win in a row, a 2-1 victory over struggling Levante lifting them to eighth.

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