Capello grateful to Beckham as Real Madrid bounce back

Real Madrid kept their title hopes alive after a crucial 2-1 win over fellow contenders Valencia.
A week after losing 2-1 at Racing Santander to slip five points adrift of leaders Barcelona, Madrid bounced back with an impressive display to beat fourth-placed Valencia by the same scoreline.

 
Ruud van Nistelrooy scored one of the goals of the season at the Bernabeu to put the hosts ahead in the 18th minute, and although Fernando Morientes drew Valencia level just after half-time, Sergio Ramos headed home David Beckham's free-kick for a deserved winner.

"It was a very important win," said Real coach Fabio Capello. "We played a very good game against a very good team.

"I liked my team a lot. The first-half with Gago and Higuain playing very well and the second with the quality of Beckham and Guti was key, although also the pace was slower and there was more space for everyone."

On Beckham's return, Capello added: "He recovered from his injury this week and played very well. I asked him before the game if he could play and he said 'yes'. He's going to America, but that's the club's problem, not mine. He is contracted to us so he can play for us."