MADRID (AFP) - Two early goals from the Spanish first division's leading scorer Luis Fabiano put Champions League contenders Sevilla on their way to a 5-0 thrashing of a hapless Real Zaragoza on Saturday.

Fabiano found the net after 19 and 24 minutes, scoring both times from close range after a pass from out wide on the right by his compatriot Daniel Alves, to take his tally to 19 for the season.

After suffering a severe body blow with little more than a quarter of the game concluded, Zaragoza then went on to fall apart.

Zaragoza defenders Roberto Ayala and Carlos Diogo both put through their own net a few minutes either side of half time.

Things went from bad to worse for Diogo after his own goal five minutes after half time, the Uruguayan defender getting sent off less than four minutes later for a wild foul on Diego Capel.

Seydou Keita then completed Zaragoza's humiliation after 69 minutes, their worst defeat in the league for for seven years, when the Malian midfielder headed home an Alves free kick.

Sevilla's fifth league win in their last six games, and their biggest in any competition this season, elevated the reigning UEFA Cup holders to fifth place in La Liga.

Valencia partially put behind them the off-the-field turmoil which has engulfed them in recent weeks but had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Recreativo Huelva.

On Friday, almost half the Valencia squad had to attend a Spanish court, because of an acrimonious contract dispute between club president Juan Soler and former captain David Albelda.

Valencia went ahead six minutes before the break when Ever Banega lofted the ball over the Recreativo defence and found Juan Mata.

The 19 year-old former Real Madrid reserve needed only one touch before getting his second goal of the season.

Recreativo equalised seven minutes after the break when Carlos Martins unleashed a thunderbolt from just outside the area.

League leaders Real Madrid will be glad to get back to their historic Santiago Bernabeu stadium to face near neighbours Getafe on Sunday, after two successive defeats away from home.

Real have a 100 per cent record in La Liga in front of their own fans this season but last Saturday's 2-1 loss at Real Betis ensured their lead over Barcelona was reduced to five points.

"I don't want to concede any more of our advantage to Barcelona but it's always something special to play my former club, said Real coach Bernd Schuster on Saturday.

Schuster was at the helm of Getafe last season before moving across the Spanish capital in the summer.

"It's my former club and I'm happy for them with any success they might have. However, there is no question which is my team now and we're out to win and get three points.

"I don't think I'll wake up on Monday morning and find Barca are only two points behind us," added the German.

Sergio Ramos, Jose Maria Gutierrez and Mahamadou Diarra were all passed fit on Saturday, despite picking up knocks in Real's 2-1 loss at Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, so Schuster is expected to use the same lineup that started against the Italians.

Getafe lie down in 13th place and will be without two of the most impressive players this season, midfielders Ruben De La Red and Esteban Granero.

The pair are both on loan from Real's reserve team and part of the deal is that they can't face their former team mates.

Second-placed Barcelona will aim to keep up the pressure on Real by beating bottom club Levante earlier on Sunday.

Barca coach Frank Rijkaard has decided to rest Thierry Henry and Deco.

"This is a moment to evaluate the programme of games and the opponent. We are able to do that when all of our players are available. We have a lot of matches to play and I want all of my players to be fit," said Rijkaard on Saturday.

Henry's absence means that Samuel Eto'o is expected to come off the bench.

The prolific Cameroon striker has yet to start a game since returning from the African Nations Cup earlier this month.