Real Madrid joins Barca on top

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03/06/2010 - Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rafael Van der Vaart's stoppage-time goal gave Real Madrid a 3-2 comeback win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, while Barcelona could only manage a 2-2 draw with Almeria, leaving the two heavyweight sides level on 62 points.

Lionel Messi scored in the 42nd minute to cancel out Domingo's opening goal for Almeria, but after an own goal from Barca's Carles Puyol in the 57th minute, Messi needed another goal just to give Barca a point.

That left Real three points back of the defending champions ahead of their match with Sevilla.

However, things didn't start so well for the home side as Sevilla was in front after 10 minutes when Diego Capel's deflected cross went in off Real's Xabi Alonso.

Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop made the lead stand up over the rest of the first half despite Real heaping pressure on the visiting side.

He made a number of quality stops, and then saw his team take a two-goal lead shortly after halftime when a free kick from Ivica Dragutinovic skipped innocently inside the box but somehow eluded goalkeeper Iker Casillas and found its way into the back of the net.

The hosts were letting a big opportunity slip away, but they started their comeback effort on the hour mark when Cristiano Ronaldo swooped in to fire home a loose ball inside the box.

Guti then had his shot deflected off the crossbar, but the ensuing corner kick was headed home by Sergio Ramos to level the score in the 64th minute.

It seemed like just a matter of time before Real would score again, but Gonzalo Higuain was twice denied by the woodwork before the game entered stoppage time.

However, with just seconds to play, Higuain had a header parried by Palop into the path of Van der Vaart, who bundled it over the goal line for a dramatic winner.

The other match on Saturday saw Deportivo move into fifth place with a 3-1 win over Tenerife, who scored the game's first goal in the 17th minute but conceded three unanswered tallies in a 35-minute span.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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