SEVILLE - A stunning strike from Seydou Keita and a Luis Fabiano tap-in gave a resurgent Sevilla side a richly-deserved 2-0 win at home to leaders Real Madrid in the Primera Liga on Saturday night.
The goals came within the space of three first half minutes and Real were never able to respond against an inspired Sevilla outfit.
Already two goals down, Real were also forced to play most of the second half with 10 men after Sergio Ramos was sent off was a second bookable offence.
Bernd Schuster's side came into the game with a four-point cushion at the top of the Primera Liga, and were also buoyed by Wednesday's stunning 5-1 thrashing of Valencia.
But the signs were ominous from the outset for the league leaders as Sevilla attacked from the first whistle.
The home side threatened after three minutes, but Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas produced a brilliant save to push away Luis Fabiano's powerful volley.
Casillas then easily gathered Christian Poulsen's shot from the edge of the area as Sevilla pushed forward again.
But the visitors were also looking dangerous on the break and Robinho advanced to the edge of the Sevilla box after six minutes, only to see his weak strike comfortably saved by Andres Palop.
Sevilla continued to enjoy the majority of the possession and Frederic Kanoute fired just past the post on 12 minutes.
Robinho then escaped down the left flank for Real and sent a low cross into the box towards the advancing Ruud van Nistelrooy, but Serbia defender Ivica Dragutinovic got back to divert the Brazilian's centre behind for a corner.
But Sevilla cleared their lines and went ahead following a stunning strike from Keita on 18 minutes.
The Mali midfielder struck the ball sweetly on the half-volley from 25 yards and saw his effort arch into the top corner past a helpless Casillas.
Three minutes later, the Andalusians went two ahead.
Kanoute ran onto a long through-ball and saw his powerful shot parried by Casillas, but Luis Fabiano was at hand to pounce on the rebound and double the home side's lead.
Real were stunned and never looked likely to get back into the game in the remainder of the first half.
Things were already looking very difficult for the champions, but became even more so after the break when Ramos was dismissed following a second yellow card on 50 minutes.
In their very next attack, Sevilla should have gone three goals ahead, but Luis Fabiano fired over the bar with only Casillas to beat.
At the other end, the visitors then appealed for a penalty when Raul claimed to be held back by Dragutinovic, but the Real captain was booked for simulation.
Schuster's side continued to search for a way back into the game, but were leaving too many spaces at the back and Sevilla should have added more goals in the latter stages.
Kanoute, Keita and Capel all should have done better in breakaway attacks, but it mattered little as Sevilla recorded a victory which sees them move back into the top half of the table.
Real, meanwhile, remain top of the league, but will see their lead cut to a point if Barcelona defeat Real Betis on Sunday.
