R's propel Real

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy (R) screws an effort past Deportivo goalkeeper Dudu Aouate and wide in their Primera Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.Photo: AFP

Real Madrid endured some nervous moments but hung on to their Spanish league lead and retained their 100 per cent home record this season with a 3-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.
Goals by Ruud van Nistelrooy, club captain Raul Gonzalez and Robinho produced a slightly flattering scoreline but moved the Spanish giants up to 22 points from their nine games.
"The arrival of Raul midway through the second half was decisive. It woke us up and helped us get the victory," reflected Real coach Bernd Schuster, with Real drawing 1-1 at that point.
Deportivo made a dream start just over a minute into the game when Xisco Jimenez put the visitors ahead with a right foot shot from 10 yards out.
Real had only themselves to blame after Deportivo goalkeeper Dudu Aouate sent a huge punt forward and the Madrid defenders left Sergio Gonzalez free to pull the ball back to the unmarked Xisco.
"The truth is, I wanted to stop Real conceding this type of goal this season. This is something that has got to be sorted out," added Schuster, hinting at his side's lack of concentration at the start.
However, Real were back on level terms barely five minutes later when Ruud van Nistelrooy equalized from the penalty spot after the Dutchman had his legs swept away from under him by Mexican midfielder Jose Guardado.
Having recovered from the early blow, Real then went on the offensive with Sergio Ramos roaming forward to have two good chances only thwarted by the acrobatic Aouate.
Deportivo didn't throw in the though and came out fighting after the break with Juan Rodriguez and Xisco both having opportunities early in the second half.
However, the introduction of the inspirational Raul after 65 minutes galvanised Real.
Mid-week two-goal hero Robinho hit the crossbar with 20 minutes to go before Raul finally gave the reigning Spanish champions the lead after 78 minutes, latching on to an inch-perfect pass by Jose Maria Gutierrez.
Deportivo endured further misery two minutes later when Sergio was sent off for his second yellow card and Robinho then got his first goal this season in the league right at the end of regulation time.
Barcelona kept up the pressure on Real with a 2-0 win over Almeria on Sunday to move up to second place, two points behind their bitter rivals.
Thierry Henry opened the scoring after 37 minutes but can consider himself a little lucky to have got his fourth goal of season.
Giovanni Dos Santos took the ball into the Almeria area only for their goalkeeper David Cobeno to smother the Mexican teenager's shot, but the ball spun loose to the feet of Henry who was presented with an open goal.
Lionel Messi then got Barca's second from the penalty spot nine minutes from time after Bruno Saltor was controversially adjudged to have fouled Dos Santos.
"We created a lot of chances but we didn't finish them off well," reflected Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard. Real Zaragoza inflicted a 4-1 thrashing on Villarreal, who slipped back to third place.
Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira opened the scoring his fifth goal of the season after 36 minutes when he headed home an Alberto Zapater cross.
Oscar Serrano, Diego Milito and Sergio Garcia then put Zaragoza further ahead in the second half before Robert Pires got a consolation goal for Villarreal nine minutes from time.
Sevilla showed that the sudden departure of Juande Ramos, who resigned on Friday to take over at Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur, wasn't too much of a distraction as they beat Valencia 3-0.
Fredi Kanoute took advantage of some shocking defending to open the scoring after 10 minutes and further goals came late in the second half from Christian Poulsen, who had earlier had a goal disallowed for marginally being offside, and Luis Fabiano.Atletico Madrid beat winless bottom club Levante 1-0 to move up to fifth place.
Diego Forlan put Atletico ahead after 36 minutes but he will be thanking his team mate Kun Aguero for exquisite service after the Argentine striker chested down a long Ze Castro pass before cleverly laying the ball off for Forlan.