Rayo Vallecano 0 Real Madrid 1

Real Madrid did just enough to beat Rayo Vallecano in the local derby in the Vallecas Stadium on Sunday to keep them six points clear at the top of La Liga.

Guti gave the league leaders the three points when he scored the only goal of the game six minutes before the interval.

Roberto Carlos hammered a 35-yard free kick at Kasey Keller and the American keeper failed to hold it and Guti capitalised as he slotted home the rebound from six yards.

After the interval the Madrid man could have added his and Real's second when he ran onto a Raul pass, but this time watched as his shot bounced back off the left post.

Luis Figo was at his theatrical best as he collapsed after appearing to be hit in the stomach by Ballesteros in an off the ball incident.

But replays showed that the Rayo man did little more than push the Portuguese playmaker away and there was nothing to warrant the rolling around on the pitch that followed from Figo.

Helder was dismissed with just five minutes remaining of the contest but by then Madrid had the game wrapped up as Rayo appeared to have run out of ideas and stamina.