Real Madrid restored their seven-point lead at the top of the Primera Liga and maintained their 100 per cent record at the Bernabeu with a ruthlessly efficient 2-0 win over Real Zaragoza yesterday.
Zaragoza dominated for over an hour but were frustrated by a succession of saves by Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas and some profligate finishing by their strikers.
Real made off with the points thanks to a sharp header from Ruud van Nistelrooy and a cool breakaway finish from Robinho.
Zaragoza, who went into the game at the Bernabeu without a win in their last seven outings, were in complete control in a one-sided first half. But an inspired Casillas kept the home side in it with a string of brilliant saves.
Ricardo Oliveira finally managed to beat the Real goalkeeper on the hour only to see his low drive hit the base of the post.
Five minutes later, in practically their first attack of the game, van Nistelrooy put Real in front when he headed in at the near post after some good work by Robinho.
Robinho completed a classic smash-and-grab raid 11 minutes later, firing home after breaking clear down the middle of the pitch.
With one game to go before the halfway mark in the season, Real lead the table on 44 points, seven clear of Barcelona, who ground out a 2-0 win away to Real Mallorca on Saturday.
Espanyol are a point behind Barca in third after their classy 3-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday, while Atletico Madrid are two further back in fourth after a rare 3-0 win away to struggling Deportivo Coruna.
Ronald Koeman's Valencia continued their dismal run of form and were jeered off the pitch by their fans when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Levante, the first time the basement side have taken a point away from home this season.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)