UPDATE 4-Soccer-Real stay top after win but Barca keep pace

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By Mark Elkington

MADRID, May 26 (Reuters) - Leaders Real Madrid edged closer to the Primera Liga title beating Deportivo Coruna 3-1 in the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Barcelona remained hot on their heels, overcoming King's Cup finalists Getafe 1-0 at home thanks to a second minute goal from Ronaldinho, who was later sent off.

Real and Barca stay tied at the top on 72 points, though Fabio Capello's side hold first place due to their superior head-to-head record.

Real, on course for their first major title in four years, have a tough visit to face fifth-placed Real Zaragoza next, and finish with a home game against Real Mallorca.

Barca are at home to city rivals Espanyol and away to bottom club Gimnastic Tarragona in their remaining games.

Third-placed Sevilla (67) host Zaragoza on Sunday, while Valencia's title challenge was derailed when they were beaten 3-2 at home by local rivals Villarreal. They stayed fourth on 65 points.

Villarreal's sixth straight victory put them sixth with 56 points, in the UEFA Cup places.