Liga Report: Real Take Derby Honours

Real Madrid won the derby against Atletico thanks to first-half goals from Ronaldo and Raul.

Amazingly Real took the lead after just 15 seconds. After a number of passes, Ronaldo gained possession, waltzed through the Atletico defence and calmly slotted past Germain Burgos.

It was 2-0 on 21 minutes when David Beckham's long pass from midfield was headed over the stranded Burgos by former Atletico youngster Raul. A terrific piece of improvisation from the Spanish international.

Burgos had to be on his toes to save a trademark Roberto Carlos swerver, before Atletico had some chances of their own down the other end.

First Torres collected a pass from midfield, outpaced the Real defence, only to toe poke inches wide of Casillas' right post.

Torres then cut in and blasted over, before Nikolaidis could only get a toe on a long pass from the back.

Into the second-half and Real were so unlucky not to make it 3-0. Ronaldo struck the base of the post and when the ball fell to Raul, the off-balance forward could only hit the same post from point-blank range.

Raul then went through one-on-one with Burgos, but 'El Mono' made a smart low save to deny him.

Atletico went close when Rodrigo's goal-bound volley was saved by Casillas.

At the other end Raul selfishly shot wide with Ronaldo better-placed to his left, and Burgos had to push away a deflected Zinedine Zidane cross.

Torres had the last chance of the match but his effort from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.

So Real enter their clash against Barca with morale high. Significantly Raul looks to have regained his form, while Beckham, Zidane and Ronaldo were all impressive for the Merengues.