Deportivo La Coruna went back to the top of the Spanish league yesterday as they beat relegation-threatened Real Oviedo 3-1 with Dutch striker Roy Makaay grabbing his first goals in three matches as he scored two of them.
Deportivo lead Barcelona, who had gone top on Saturday after a hard fought 2-1 win over Malaga, by two points.
Makaay sent Deportivo into the half-time break with a comfortable 2-0 lead after he had headed home twice.
Although Oviedo's French central defender Fredric Danjou prodded home past goalkeeper Jacques Songo'o to reduce the deficit in the 67th minute the oldest man on the pitch 37-year-old Brazilian midfielder Donato wrapped up the three points for Coruna.
Meanwhile, in Italy, Lazio took advantage of a Friday night slip-up by leaders Juventus when they came from behind against their city rivals Roma to win 2-1 - to trim the Turin outfit's lead to six points and give themselves the chance to cut that margin further when the two teams meet next week.
Vincenzo Montella gave Roma a second-minute lead, outfoxing Lazio keeper Luca Marchegiani after good work from Francesco Totti and any watching Juve fans would have been forgiven at that point for uncorking the champagne.
But, after 25 minutes Czech star Pavel Nedved, impressive in their midweek victory over Chelsea, squared the match and it took just three more minutes for Lazio's dynamic Argentinian midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron direct from a freekick to bag what proved to be the winner.
