Real win at Espanyol

Barca's record 16-match winning run ended on Saturday when they had to fight back from a goal down to rescue a 1-1 draw at Sporting Gijon and Real took full advantage with a gritty display.

Casillas, Spain's World Cup-winning captain, was shown a straight red after bringing down Jose Callejon just outside the area and Real coach Jose Mourinho immediately brought on reserve keeper Antonio Adan to replace Argentina winger Angel Di Maria.

The dismissal lifted the home fans but they were silenced on 24 minutes when Real defender Marcelo cut in from the left wing and squeezed a shot past Carlos Kameni from a tight angle.

January loan signing Emmanuel Adebayor almost snatched a second in the 40th minute but the Togo international's scooped shot bounced on top of the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

Adebayor had chances to make the game safe late in the second half but Kameni pulled off two superb saves, while at the other end Joan Verdu nearly surprised Adan with a deft chip.

Mourinho said Real had done well to beat such strong opponents with a man fewer.

"I am not going to change my tune just because we are two points closer," the Portuguese said afterwards.

"I would like to have a five-point lead over the team in second place."