Liga Report: Double Dutch Deflections See Real To Victory

Real Madrid claimed their first win at Camp Nou since 1983 when beating Barcelona 2-1 in a pulsating derby.

Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo put the Merengues 2-0 ahead, with Patrick Kluivert scoring late on for Barca.

It was a first-half that belonged to Real, although genuine clear-cut chances were a rarity

A Roberto Carlos free-kick was deflected wide, before Casillas pulled off a super save to tip Xavi`s free-kick over the bar.

Barca were creating very little, with there lack of width, and subsequent service to Patrick Kluivert all too plain to see.

Real took a deserved lead on 37 minutes when Roberto Carlos` low shot was deflected in by Michael Reiziger.

After Salgado had fizzed one off target, Luis Garcia dragged a shot just wide after good play from Kluivert.

It was a different Barcelona side that took to the pitch in the second-half.

Marc Overmars and Riccardo Quaresma were introduced at the expense of Gabri and Luis Garcia.

Raul had a golden chance to all but put the game to bed on 53 minutes when, with just Valdes to beat in front of goal, he some how put Beckham's left-footed cross over the bar. An astonishing miss.

Overmars, who made a big impact on the second-half, forced a fantastic save from Casillas after a swift counterattack. His goal-bound shot was beaten away by the Real stopper.

Charles Puyol who had a super evening was booked for a challenge on Ronaldo, before Casillas stopped a fierce Kluivert shot.

Barca were in their pomp now and questions must be asked of coach Frank Rijkaard as to why he sent such a negative side out in the first-half.

Kluivert, who had a far bigger impact after the break, saw a shot blocked after a fabulous run down the left.

Gerard had seen a close-range header saved by the outstanding Casillas before the deadly second goal arrived against the run of play.

Barca were left short at the back and Ronaldo fired Roberto Carlos' pass into the bottom right corner with the aid of a Reiziger corner.

Kluivert got Barca back into it with nine minutes to go. He rose well to head a corner kick low into Casillas' bottom corner.

Almost immediately Barca were back on the attack and only a point-blank save from Casillas prevented Gerard from levelling things up.

But there was to be no last gasp equaliser for a Barca side who perhaps deserved a point for their spirited second-half display. Real, though, were a class apart at times and travel back to Madrid knowing that any faint title ambitions the Catalans may have had have been well and truly extinguished.