Real Madrid Stroll Past Sevilla

Real Madrid took over second spot in the league with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Sevilla.

The Merengues took the lead after just nine minutes when Raul headed home a Luis Figo cross from the right. The Spanish international then almost doubled the lead a minute later when his effort was tipped over by Antonio Notario.

Flavio Conceicao made it 2-0 on 28 minutes with a super half-volley from the edge of the box.

Notario was on hand to stop Zinedine Zidane making in 3-0 after a Roberto Carlos cross, before Raul almost took advantage of a poor back-pass but his shot was saved by Notario.

Michel Salgado was stretchered off after the break following a strong challenge from Pedro Alfaro, before Javi Navarro was sent-off for stamping on Ronaldo's knee.

Ten minutes into the second-half Sevilla made a chance for themselves when Jose Reyes shot just wide of Iker Casillas' post.

Marco Vales forced a good save out of Casillas on 72, but the Merengues immediately broke away to score the third when Ronaldo's chip was saved by Notario, but Zidane was on hand to score from close-range.

Vales saw a header tipped over by the Real keeper not long after, but it was always comfortable for the home side.