Depleted Real Madrid held to 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijon

Real's city rivals Atletico, in their first match since Friday's sacking of coach Abel Resino, had earlier conceded a farcical last-minute equalizer to draw 1-1 with nine-man Real Mallorca, and third-placed Sevilla were held 0-0 at home by Espanyol thanks to a string of superb saves by Carlos Kameni.

Manuel Pellegrini's Real side were hoping for a confidence-boosting win at a rain-drenched Molinon after Wednesday's 3-2 Champions League loss to AC Milan.

But Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema had joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy on the injury list, leaving Raul as the only recognized forward, and they found it tough to break down a spirited Sporting side.

Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas had to be alert to deny in-form forward Miguel de las Cuevas just before halftime, before Esteban Granero prompted a fine save from Juan Pablo after good work from Kaka.

Real had the lion's share of possession in the second period and pressed for a winner, Xabi Alonso flashing a drive over the bar and Raul having an effort ruled out for a Kaka handball.

Tempers began to fray as the tension mounted, and Mahamadou Diarra appeared to lash out at Alberto Rivera, but with Pellegrini looking an increasingly forlorn and soggy figure on the sidelines Sporting held on for a deserved point.

Atletico Madrid 1, Real Mallorca 1

Atletico Madrid's miserable season took a turn for the worse on Saturday when they conceded a farcical late equalizer to draw 1-1 at home to nine-man Real Mallorca, a day after sacking coach Abel Resino.

Diego Forlan missed one penalty in the first half but recovered to net another, only for teenage goalkeeper David De Gea to allow Borja Valero's tame shot to deflect in off his legs in the final minute of normal time.

Atletico, now with only one win in eight matches and down in 14th, were playing their first match since Resino's dismissal on Friday and the players looked keen to impress his replacement, Quique Sanchez Flores, in the early stages.

Their efforts appeared to have been rewarded in the 27th minute when the referee ruled defender Josemi had handled the ball in the penalty area and showed him a second yellow card.

Forlan stepped up to take the spot kick but blasted wide of the right post.

The Uruguay striker was given a second chance five minutes into the second half when Ivan Ramis handled in the area and was also shown a second yellow.

Forlan sent Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate the wrong way, side-footing low into the bottom right, but Atletico were unable to press home their numerical advantage.

Midfielder Valero picked up a deep cross at the far post in the 90th minute and when De Gea tried to clear his shot from a tight angle he only managed to send the ball into his own net.

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