Real claim tactical victory from Spanish derby clash

Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque was celebrating a tactical victory over Barcelona on Monday, after the in-form Catalans were outfought, outthought and ultimately outplayed in a frenetic match at the Bernabeu.

Real's thoroughly professional 2-0 win over their fierce rivals may end up signifying very little in terms of the title race in Spain.

While all attention was turned to the sound and fury of the Bernabeu, where goals from Fernando Morientes and Luis Figo settled a bad-tempered game, Deportivo Coruna were winning 5-1 at home to Osasuna to move two points clear at the top.

Barca are now four points behind Javier Irureta's league leaders, after picking up just five points from their last five games, while Real remain seven points off the title pace despite their recent improvement.

Sunday's result will nevertheless have given Del Bosque cause for immense satisfaction, as his team overcame a nervous start to run out convincing winners.

Barcelona looked far superior technically in the early stages, as young Spanish playmaker Xavi directed traffic from midfield, setting up Marc Overmars, Rivaldo and Patrick Kluivert to run at the Real defence with menace.

Barca missed their chances, though, and were made to pay as Real took the lead, albeit with a large slice of luck.

Raul's far-post header from a Steve McManaman cross looped up off Francesco Coco, leaving Morientes free to butt in from near the goal line.

Real knuckled down to protect their lead and at halftime Del Bosque decided to switch the influential McManaman in from the left wing to the centre, a move that changed the flow of the game.

Xavi and Philip Cocu saw their influence in midfield severely limited and Overmars had his supply line cut off.

Fernando Hierro lead the Real defence with fearsome commitment, Zinedine Zidane suddenly started playing like a $66 million player and Luis Figo and Raul kept the Barcelona defence worried with some tireless running up front.

The reward came deep into injury-time as Zidane set Claude Makelele clear on the left, Raul let his low cross pass through his legs and Figo calmly slotted in past Roberto Bonano.

"In the first half we had a problem with the balance of the side," Del Bosque explained.

"They were superior in midfield but we corrected the problem and managed to control the ball much better."

"The victory was hatched from the moment we positioned ourselves correctly."

Real remain a long way from looking serious contenders to retain their title and goalkeeper Iker Casillas acknowledged his team could not afford to relax after Sunday's win.

"These are three golden points for us," said Casillas. "They give us the chance to get back quickly to challenging for the lead."

"But we play Zaragoza next week and if we lose that we'll have lost everything we won here against Barcelona."