By Mark Elkington
MADRID (Reuters) - Fans saw 42 goals scored in 10 matches over the weekend with the Primera Liga title race promising a thrilling run-in.
With three matches left, the top five all won, though leaders Real Madrid left victory to the closing moments.
Roberto Carlos scored a 91st minute winner after Real had thrown away a comfortable 2-0 lead to win 3-2 away at Recreativo Huelva.
"We had a slice of luck at the end. The positive thing is that we know how to react in the decisive moments," Real's Brazilian forward Robinho told reporters.
Real had needed a last minute goal to complete a 4-3 comeback win against Espanyol the previous weekend.
Sports daily Marca advised Real fans to carry pacemakers to matches in future.
Barcelona kept pace with Real, level on 69 points but behind on head-to-head record, with a 6-0 demolition of their bogey team Atletico Madrid in the Calderon.
"We saw some good moments but it wasn't a particularly impressive performance," Barca coach Frank Rijkaard said.
Two-goal Lionel Messi was more forthcoming. "We were going through a bad patch, so to win like this is a big lift for the final three games," he said.
Sevilla went through extra time and penalties to reclaim the UEFA Cup last week but shook off any celebration hangovers on Sunday, scoring two goals in the last 14 minutes to beat Deportivo Coruna 2-1 away.
The King's Cup finalists remained two points behind the leaders.
"We weren't as sharp as we normally are. The UEFA Cup final was very intense and the celebrations were long. The players are looking forward to having a rest next week," said Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.
Valencia needed a 90th-minute winner from Joaquin to see off Real Mallorca on Saturday but are still in the title hunt with 65 points.
The goals were not confined to the title race. King's Cup finalists Getafe piled the misery on losing UEFA Cup finalists Espanyol with a 5-1 drubbing.
In the battle to avoid relegation, fifth-placed Real Zaragoza beat Athletic Bilbao 4-3, having been 4-1 up from the first half, while Levante were clobbered 4-1 by Osasuna.
Improving Real Sociedad's 3-1 comeback victory over Celta Vigo puts them in a strong position to escape the drop as they moved up to 18th on 33 points, one behind Basque neighbours Bilbao and three short of Levante.
"These players deserve to be in the Primera Liga, we are not going to be relegated," Sociedad coach Miguel Angel Lotina said.
