Goals from Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy give them a 2-0 win over Atletico
MADRID: Raul Gonzalez and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored on Sunday to lead Real Madrid over crosstown rival Atletico Madrid 2-0 in the Spanish league.
League leader Madrid went ahead after only 33 seconds when Raul guided Robinho’s short pass from the left inside the far post.
“My goal brought us calm and, when it looked like they might equalise, Van Nistelrooy decided it,” said Raul, who scored his 11th career goal in the city derby.
Atletico strikers Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero forced goalkeeper Iker Casillas into fingertip saves after Raul put Real Madrid ahead. Van Nistelrooy swerved to meet Wesley Sneijder’s corner at the far post, sending it past the outstretched Christian Abbiati in the 41st minute.
Casillas denied Forlan again to close the first half. With Atletico pressing, Madrid launched a counterattack with Sneijder hitting into the side netting in the 57th. Sergio Aguero came close in the 80th for Atletico, the Argentina striker shooting wide as Madrid stayed unbeaten at the Vicente Calderon since 1999.
“It wasn’t very spectacular but it was necessary,” Madrid coach Bernd Schuster said.
“We didn’t win because of luck that was clear, especially in the second half when they didn’t have a chance on goal.” Madrid’s only worry was the condition of centre back Pepe, who had to leave in the 11th clutching his right leg.
Madrid’s seventh straight league victory kept them seven points ahead of second place Barcelona, who beat Racing Santander 1-0 thanks to Thierry Henry’s 31st minute header.
Madrid improved to 50 points after 20 rounds. Villarreal, who beat Valencia 3-0 on Saturday, moved into third with 38 points, one ahead of Atletico.
Earlier, Joseba Llorente scored two goals - including the fastest in league history - to lead Valladolid over Espanyol 2-1.
