Champions Real end with win

sPANISH CHAMPIONS Real Madrid treated their fans to a fitting end to the season by beating Valladolid 2-1 at the Bernabeu on Sunday night.

Raul also clinched a personal title as top scorer in La Primera with two goals for the champions. Real took charge of the game from the kick-off and looked like worthy champions against a lacklustre Valladolid side. Raul put the Madrilenos ahead after 24 minutes tucking the ball into the left-hand corner to log his 23rd goal of the season.

Minutes later, Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos nearly made it 2-0 with an impressive effort from 50 yards but the ball drifted inches wide of the right post. Real took their foot off the gas and allowed Valladolid back into the game in the second half. Jesus Turiel came close for the visitors, forcing a superb save from Real keeper Iker Casillas early on. But the equaliser arrived in the 77th minute, Eusebio launched a deep pass that was chested down at the edge of the area by Jaime Kaviedes, the Valladolid striker then deftly flicked the ball inside the right post with the outside of his boot.

Raul added to his accomplishments by scoring the winner on 85 minutes - Valladolid keeper Ricardo Lopez couldn't hold onto a ferocious free-kick from Roberto Carlos and the ball was tapped home from close range by the Liga's newly Proclaimed, "Pichichi". Real finish the season in pole position, picking up their 28th Liga with 80 points. Valladolid narrowly escape the drop into the Segunda finishing 17th with 42 points. It was also the Merengues' chance to say farewell to one of the club's four skippers, Manolo Sanchis, who bowed out from the game after 861 appearences in the white shirt of Real Madrid