Real Madrid Come from Behind Against Sevilla To Go Top of La Liga

Real Madrid went two goals down at home to Sevilla but fought back to win 3-2 in a breathtaking match.

Substitute Rafael van der Vaart scored the winning goal in the second minute of added time at the end of the second half to send Real top of La Liga.

Former Sevilla player Sergio Ramos' high ball into the box found Gonzalo Higuain. Higuain's header was saved low by Andres Palop but the Sevilla keeper could only push the ball as far as van der Vaart, who stabbed the ball into the net.

The Real Madrid fans and players alike knew a win of any kind would send them top after Barcelona could only draw away to Almeria and there was a sense of expectation at the Bernabeu.

Real started the match slowly, allowing Sevilla to silence the home fans.

Diego Capel's cross was turned into his own by Xabi Alonso as he attempted to stop the ball reaching Alvaro Negredo.

That goal turned out to be the wake-up call that Real needed as they dominated the remainder of the first half.

Cristiano Ronaldo came close on two occasions but Palop denied the Portuguese star to allow Sevilla to take a one goal lead into the break.

Sevilla created very little in terms of chances on goal but caught Madrid napping on 52 minutes to take a two goal lead against the run of play.

Ivica Dragutinovic's long free kick into the penalty area was not cleared by the Real defence and the pall flew past Iker Casillas and into the net. Despite the Real defenders not dealing with the cross, Casillas should have done better.

Real began to dominate possession further knowing that nothing but a win would do.

Ronaldo pulled one back on the hour mark following good work from Higuain.

Higuain lost the ball but his determination won the ball back for Real. He played the ball to Marcelo and the Brazilian's cross was deflected into the path of Ronaldo who lifted the ball over Palop with a neat finish.

Real pressed for the equaliser and created chance after chance.

Veteran midfielder Guti Hernandez struck a wonderful long range effort onto the bar. The shot was judged to have taken a deflection and Real scored the equalising goal from the resulting corner.

The corner was met by Sergio Ramos who managed to lose his marker at the near post.

Madrid finished the match in style and found the winning goal in injury time.

Real Madrid and Sevilla played out one of the best matches of the season so far.

This victory for Real, despite conceding two goals, will leave them brimming with confidence going into Wednesday's Champions League clash with Lyon.

They will need it as they attempt to overturn Lyon's one goal lead.