Real Madrid's Wesley Sneijder from the Netherlands tries to control the ball next to Murcia's Cesar Arzo Amposta (right) and Murcia's Dani Aquino (left) during their Spanish League match between Real Madrid and Real Murcia at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid yesterday. - AP

MADRID, Spain (AP)

Wesley Sneijder's 59th-minute goal handed 10-man Real Madrid a 1-0 win against Murcia yesterday and opened up a nine-point lead over FC Barcelona in the Spanish league.

Sneijder quickly controlled the ball inside the area before sending a right-footed shot into the top right corner of the net.

Madrid took advantage of Barcelona's 2-2 draw on Saturday to stretch the gap to its Catalan rival with six games to play. Madrid have 69 points while Barcelona have 60 and Villarreal have 59.

A low-key first half at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium was punctuated by 18 fouls and five bookings, including the ejection of Madrid right back Miguel Torres in the 20th.

Madrid controlled the play, and Arjen Robben went clean through in the 16th only to shoot over the net.

Jose Maria 'Guti' Gutierrez volleyed wide in the 39th and Raul Gonzalez rounded goalkeeper Hector Carini in the 55th only to see his chance cleared due to a heavy touch.

Madrid's defence - without injured centre back Fabio Cannavaro - didn't allow Murcia any clear chances while the offence played with little urgency after Sneijder's eighth goal of the season.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid reclaimed fourth place despite drawing 1-1 at Valladolid.

Atletico's Maxi Rodriguez scored with a right-footed volley in the 70th minute before substitute Bartholomew Ogbeche equalised one minute into injury time.

The draw moved Atletico one point clear of Racing Santander for the final Champions League qualifying place.

Renato, Frederic Kanoute and Daniel Alves scored to lead Sevilla over Mallorca 3-2 to stay sixth with 51 points - three back of Atletico. Daniel Guiza and substitute Achille Webo scored for Mallorca.

Also yesterday, it was: Real Betis 0, Levante 1; Deportivo La Coruna 3, Athletic Bilbao 0; Espanyol 0, Osasuna 1; and Getafe 0, Zaragoza 0.

Last-place Levante avoided relegation for another week thanks to Pedro Leon's goal in the 53rd.

Fabricio Coloccini and Filipe Luis scored and Sergio Gonzalez hit from the penalty spot in between to give Deportivo 43 points.

Martin Astudillo pushed in a ball that goalkeeper Carlos Kameni failed to collect in the 31st to give Osasuna 40 points.

Espanyol's hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Cup are faltering after losing eight of 10. It is seventh with 45 points.

Zaragoza stayed in the last relegation spot with 34 points after playing out the last 19 minutes without the ejected Francelino Matuzalem.