Michael Owen scored his tenth League goal of the season as Real Madrid beat Albacete.

Michael Owen made the most of his rare opportunity to start a game in the Real Madrid attack by hitting the winner at Albacete to keep alive his team's slim hopes of winning the title.

Owen, who was a late replacement for Raul who was injured in the warm-up, netted the winner on the stroke of half-time after Ivan Helguera had cancelled out Pablo Redondo's opening goal for the hosts.

With the scores level, Owen ran on to a Guti through ball to slot home past Valbuena for what turned out to be the winner in injury time of the first half.

The goal was Owen's tenth of the Legaue campaign as he consolidated his position as Real Madrid's second-highest top scorer this season.

After the match Owen said: "Although I don't like to take the place of an injured teammate, I must make the most of my opportunities.

"To score is very satisfying. I am trying to play well and I think I am, even though I am not getting much time. For me, like any player, it is important to be playing regularly."

The England striker added: "As long as it is mathematically possible to catch Barca, we must keep fighting for the championship."

Lion of the Season - Total nominations so far

Stewart Downing 3 (08 Nov, 18 Oct, 04 Oct)
Shaun Wright-Phillips 3 (25 Oct, 16 Aug, 22 Nov)
Michael Owen 3 (01 Nov, 30 Aug, 04 Apr)

John Terry 2 (29 Nov, 13 Dec)
Alan Smith 2 (23 Aug, 04 Jan)
Frank Lampard 2 (06 Dec, 17 Jan)
Wayne Rooney 2 (15 Nov, 31 Jan)
David James 2 (13 Sept, 07 Feb)
Jermain Defoe 2 (20 Dec, 14 Feb)
Rio Ferdinand 2 (11 Oct, 21 Feb)

Ashley Cole 1 (27 Sept)
Ledley King 1 (20 Sept)
Steven Gerrard 1 (06 Sept)

Darren Carter 1 (10 Jan)
Dean Ashton 1 (24 Jan)
Andy Johnson 1 (28 Feb)
Joe Cole 1 (06 Feb)
Kieron Dyer 1 (14 Mar)
Jamie Carragher 1 (21 Mar)