Real Madrid's 1-1 tie with last-place Almeria dropped the Merengues four points behind leader Barcelona, a 4-1 winner over Malaga, in the race for Spain's La Liga title, and Coach Jose Mourinho chose to blame the referee more than his lackluster attack for the setback.

Mourinho was furious with referee Miguel Angel Perez Lasa for turning down a succession of penalty appeals. "I hope that Perez Lasa does not referee our games again and also those of Barcelona," said the Real Madrid coach. "I do not complain about referees and I prefer to talk positively about them. However, I have known Mr. Lasa since 1996 and the Lasa of 2011 is exactly the same."

At the halfway mark to La Liga season, Barcelona has 52 points with 17 wins, one loss and one tie, while Real Madrid has 48 points with two more ties and two less wins.  "We dropped two points but looking at the first half of the season as a whole then we have done well," said Mourinho. "I also want to say that we want to win the title and not just have good results so we will have to wait and see what happens from here on."