Raul leads Madrid to defeat At. Bilbao

A quick-fire double from captain Raul and a well-taken header by new signing Robinho allowed 10-man Real Madrid to fight back from a goal down to claim a 3-1 win at home to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.

Real looked to be heading for a fourth defeat in a row when England defender Jonathan Woodgate, playing his first competitive match since joining Real more than a year ago, sent a diving header into his own net in the 25th minute.

Vanderlei Luxemburgo's side struggled to respond to the setback and it was not until the start of the second half that they sparked into life.

Real broke through when Brazilian striker Robinho got in front of a forest of players to head home a David Beckham free kick eight minutes after the break.

Robinho's fellow Brazilian Ronaldo then set up Raul for his first goal when he burst his way through the Bilbao defense before unselfishly laying the ball off for his skipper to score at the far post.

Raul made certain of the win in the 69th minute, meeting a Beckham corner with an expert glancing header that spun over the keeper and into the net.

The unfortunate Woodgate was sent off in the 66th minute for picking up a second booking for a foul on Bilbao forward Joseba Etxeberria.