Real Madrid were in pole position for La Liga, having built a seven-point lead over Barcelona and a four-point gap to Atletico Madrid over the past two months, but their good run came to an abrupt

Is six consecutive wins attainable? The number six has evaded Real Madrid all season. Coming into this game, Los Blancos were enjoying their joint-longest run of consecutive wins with five in a row, equal to their other best run which came in December before the 5-2 Spanish Super Cup final debacle against Barcelona and through September before a 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano.

Real Madrid’s winning run ended in stunning fashion after losing at relegation-threatened Espanyol 1-0 on Saturday in La Liga. Defender Carlos Romero's late goal beat the La Liga leader and moved Espanyol out of the bottom three.