Angel Di Maria kept Real Madrid on the heels of La Liga leaders Barcelona as
they survived a red card for Ricardo Carvalho to beat Sevilla 1-0 at home on
Sunday.

The Argentina winger kept his cool to finish from the tightest of
angles in the 77th minute, soon after Carvalho had been unlucky to receive a
second yellow card for a challenge on Alvaro Negredo.

Sevilla made life
difficult for Jose Mourinho's side in a match which was low on quality but high
on tension after leaders Barca had temporarily moved five points clear of Real
on Saturday with a 5-1 hammering of neighbours Espanyol.

The visitors
also finished with ten men after Mouhamadou Dabo was dismissed in injury time.
Champions Barca go into the winter break with 43 points from 16 games, two ahead
of second-placed Real.

Earlier, Atletico Madrid recovered from their
Europa League exit to beat Malaga 3-0 away and climb to sixth with 26
points.

Atletico, who failed to pass the group stage in the defence of
their European title, used their heads to sink former Real coach Manuel
Pellegrini's Malaga.

Portugal midfielder Tiago nodded them in front from
a Simao Sabrosa free kick after 22 minutes and he headed across for defender
Alvaro Dominguez to score following another Simao free kick in the
66th.

Three minutes later, the Portuguese connection worked again as
Tiago, on loan from Juventus, headed the third at another set piece to wrap up
the points. Atletico are ahead of near neighbours Getafe on goal difference
after Michel's side earlier came from two goals down to win 3-2 at
Almeria.

Real Zaragoza stayed rooted to the foot of the table with 10
points after a 0-0 draw at Osasuna.

Zaragoza's new coach Javier Aguirre,
the former Mexico boss, is still searching for his first win in five attempts
since taking the helm last month.