Real in goals again to nudge Barca off top

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MADRID, Feb 27, 2010 (AFP) - Prolific Real Madrid made it 11 goals in their last two games romping to a 5-1 win at strugglers Tenerife on Saturday to climb a point above Barcelona at the Spanish league summit.

Argentine Gonzalo Higuain took his season's tally to 16 following a first half brace before Brazilian Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and substitute Raul netted as Real went top of the table for the first time since losing 1-0 to Barcelona on November 29.

The 5-1 rout followed Real's 6-2 thrashing of Villarreal last weekend and champions Barcelona, one point behind, must respond with victory at home to Malaga in Saturday's late match.

Tenerife's Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez stadium held painful memories for Madrid who famously lost consecutive league titles at the venue on the final days of the season in both 1992 and 1993.

The islanders almost took a surprise lead in the opening minute with Real centre-back Ezequiel Garay producing a fine block to stop Alejandro Alfaro's shot.

With 19 minutes gone Higuain got the opener for Real latching onto a Marcelo pass before drilling in a left-footed shot.

It was Higuain's ninth goal in his last seven league outings as he attempts to convince Argentina national coach Diego Maradona that he should lead the line in this summer's World Cup.

Tenerife almost equalised straight away but Alfaro's volley was pushed away by Iker Casillas.

Higuain then produced another great finish on 41 minutes side-footing in brilliantly after a pass from Garay.

Tenerife levelled a minute after the break with a bizarre goal that infuriated Casillas.

Casillas caught a cross but collided with Ayoze in mid-air and the ball hit the striker's head to go in and Casillas could not believe it stood chasing the referee to the centre circle to protest.

Two minutes later Real re-established their two-goal cushion with Higuain feeding Kaka who made no mistake sliding the ball home.

Higuain almost bagged his hat-trick on 65 minutes only to see his lob rattle the crossbar.

Tenerife, second from bottom, had opportunities too but could not beat Casillas who pulled off several fine saves.

A handball on 79 minutes gave Real a penalty and with Higuain substituted, Ronaldo stepped up to smash home for his 13th goal in 15 league matches.

Captain Raul, struggling to get into the team these days, came off the bench to net a fifth in stoppage time to complete the scoring.

Earlier promoted Real Zaragoza gave their survival hopes a real shot in the arm with a 2-0 win at Getafe on Saturday to move four points clear of the relegation zone.

Chile international striker Humberto Suazo, on loan until the end of the season from Mexican club Monterrey, scored both goals in the first half to secure only Zaragoza's second away win of the campaign.

Atletico Madrid host Valencia on Sunday in an intriguing match-up between two sides capable of beating anyone on their day.

Atletico and Valencia both won in the Europa League in midweek against Galatasary and Club Brugge respectively, but are in very different positions in the league with Valencia riding high in third while Atletico languish down in 13th.