MADRID: 

Renato. pic/AP

Brazilian Renato was the hero again as Sevilla followed up their Real Madrid scalp with a 1-0 home win over title rivals Villarreal last night to go third in the table.

"If my facts aren't wrong Villarreal only had one shot on our goal and that says a lot about my players," enthused Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez.

Villarreal slip to fourth and trail Barcelona, who defeated Real 2-0 in El Clasico at Camp Nou on Saturday, by nine points.

Atletico Madrid leapfrogged city neighbours Real with a 2-0 home win over Real Betis on Sunday.

Argentine duo Maxi Rodriguez and Sergio "Kun" Aguero grabbed a goal apiece as Atletico moved up to fifth place, two points behind Villarreal, while Real slumped to sixth.