Madrid triumph in 'El Clásico'

Barça stay top
Barcelona remain top of the league ahead of Valencia CF on goal difference but they will be bitterly disappointed to lose out to Madrid, who took an early lead when Raúl González expertly headed in a cross from Sergio Ramos. Barcelona, who also lost against Chelsea FC in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, went close to equalising when Eidur Gudjohnsen brushed the side-netting after being set up by Lionel Messi. Argentinian international Messi was later denied by Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas after a clever interchange with Ronaldinho.

Van Nistelrooy strikes
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who also found the target in Madrid’s 4-1 win at FC Steaua Bucuresti last Tuesday, got the second goal six minutes after the break when he beat goalkeeper Víctor Valdés to Robinho’s cross to volley in with his left foot. Van Nistelrooy later chipped against the crossbar, while at the other end Casillas did well to fist away a dangerous Ronaldinho free-kick late on but overall Madrid proved good value for their victory as they moved up to fourth place, two points behind Barça.

Sevilla surge
Elsewhere, CG Tarragona were no match for third-placed Sevilla FC early on as winger Jesús Navas crossed for Mali striker Frédéric Kanouté to volley a spectacular opener in the 22nd minute. Navas also set up Kanouté for the decisive second goal five minutes later but the visitors, without a win in five matches, struck back through midfielder David Cuéllar in the 68th minute after Albano Bizzarri had saved a 52nd-minute penalty from Sevilla's Enzo Maresca. Sevilla held on to win 2-1.

Valencia on roll
Valencia recorded their fourth straight home win to join Barcelona at the summit as they beat CA Osasuna 1-0 thanks to a goal by David Villa after he was set up by a Fernando Morientes header. Valencia had Jorge López sent off in the final minute and earlier lost fellow midfielder David Albelda to a knee ligament injury. Albelda may be out for between six and eight weeks and could miss Valencia's next three UEFA Champions League matches against FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Olympiacos CFP and AS Roma.

Getafe dominant
In other Primera División matches, Getafe CF, recorded a 2-1 victory at RC Recreativo de Huelva. Getafe dominated early on and took the lead when striker Sergio Pachón ran clear to score two minutes before the break. A swift counterattack by Recre in the 54th minute saw French striker Florent Sinama Pongolle round the keeper to equalise. Getafe's Manu del Moral headed the winner in the 71st minute, though it took a penalty save by Argentinian goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri in the final minute to secure all three points.

Baiano winner
A solitary goal by Fernando Baiano was enough to give RC Celta de Vigo a 1-0 win at Athletic Club Bilbao as the Brazilian striker bundled in Matias Lequi's free-kick at the far post after six minutes. RCD Espanyol were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Real Racing Club Santander, while bottom club Real Sociedad de Fútbol played the last 20 minutes with only ten men after defender Gerardo was sent off but still held out for a 0-0 draw at RCD Mallorca.