MADRID, (Reuters) – Real Mallorca swept aside  Sporting Gijon 3-0 in La Liga yesterday to keep up their push  for a place in next season’s Champions League.

The islanders won for the 11th time in 12 home games thanks  to goals from Julio Alvarez, Victor and Pierre Webo as they  joined fourth-placed Sevilla on 43 points.

Mallorca are fifth due to their inferior head-to-head record  with Manolo Jimenez’s side.

“We’ll continue to fight for a place in Europe and if a team  in the Champions League slots (top four) fades or loses their  consistency we could have a chance,” Mallorca coach Gregorio  Manzano told reporters.

Real Madrid replaced Barcelona at the top on Saturday after  beating Sevilla 3-2 thanks to a stirring comeback.

They drew level on 62 points with Barca, who were held 2-2  in Almeria, but moved above the champions through their superior  goal difference.

Valencia are third with 46 points and can strengthen their  position with a win at home to Racing Santander today.

Gaizka Toquero scored twice for Athletic Bilbao in a 2-0  home win over Real Valladolid and are seventh with 40 points.
In other games yesterday, basement side Xerez rallied from  2-1 down to register their first away win in La Liga with a 4-2  victory in Malaga.

Both sides finished with 10 men but a double from Momo (one  a penalty) and strikes from Leandro Gioda and Fabian Orellana  delivered the points for the top-flight debutants.

Xerez stay bottom with 15 points from 25 games, 10 adrift of  safety.