Real Madrid came from behind to beat Sevilla 3-2 at the Bernabeu last night, in a game marked by three red cards and a flurry of yellows.

Enzo Maresca volleyed in to give Sevilla the lead at half-time, but Guti came on for the second half to inspire a Real Madrid come-back, setting up Ruud van Nistelrooy and then Robinho for goals to take the lead.

Van Nistelrooy made it 3-1 and Ernesto Chevanton pulled a goal back for the visitors in injury- time as both teams ended with 10 men apiece.

Robinho and Aitor Ocio were both shown red cards while Sevilla substitute Luis Fabiano was also sent off for saying something to the linesman as he warmed up.

The win means Real move into second place in the table, two points behind reigning champions Barcelona with five matches to play. Sevilla lie in third place two points behind Real.

Barcelona won 2-0 away to Real Sociedad on Saturday with the goals coming from Andres Iniesta and Samuel Eto'o.

Real Zaragoza lost ground in their bid for a Champions League place when they were held 0-0 at home by Racing Santander yesterday and are now four points behind fourth-placed Valencia who won 2-1 at Deportivo Coruna on Saturday.

At the other end of the table, Ian Harte's club Levante claimed a valuable 2-0 victory over basement side Gimnastic to move three points clear of the drop zone, while their opponents are nine adrift of safety with just five games to play.

Hristo Stoichkov's Celta Vigo suffered their third defeat in a row when they went down 1-0 at Villarreal and occupy one of two remaining relegation berths, three points ahead of fellow strugglers Real Sociedad.