Friday, December 08, 2006

Madrid edges Valencia 1-0 behind Gonzalez's strike

Raul Gonzalez scored in the 52nd minute to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Valencia and move the team three points off the lead in the Spanish League.

Raul's third goal of the season came from Roberto Carlos' low cross following a swift break down the left wing which also involved Jose Antonio Reyes.

Valencia's defeat yesterday deepened the slump in its league form. The 2002 and '04 champions are in eighth place after gaining just two points from a possible 15.

Madrid's victory at Mestalla stadium was its third straight and was achieved without the injured Ronaldo, David Beckham, Jose Maria "guti" Gutierrez and Ivan Helguera.

The 29-time champions stayed in third place because Sevilla won 3-1 at athletic Bilbao to keep hold of second place.

Two goals by Luis Fabiano and one by Jose Luis Marti extended Sevilla's unbeaten run to six games _ five wins and a draw. Also, Diego Milito scored his ninth goal of the season to help 10-man Zaragoza earn a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo.

Also, it was: racing Santander 4, recreativo Huelva 3; Getafe 0, Levante 0; Real Betis 1, Espanyol 1; Gimnastic Tarragona 2, Mallorca 3; and Osasuna 4, Deportivo la Coruna 1.

FC Barcelona leads the league with 29 points, while Sevilla has 28, Madrid has 26 and Zaragoza has 23.

Valencia, already lacking six players, including Captain David Albelda, lost striker David Villa through injury in the 16th minute.