Real win at last

Real Madrid gave their league credibility a much needed boost by beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Saturday evening.

Neither team were able to stamp their authority on a drab first-half which saw just a handful of chances at both ends.

Ismael Urzaiz presented the Real defence with problems in the opening minutes but the Basque hitman lacked a killer finish.

Real meanwhile pressed forward and created handful of opportunities through Hierro and Morientes but neither were able to break the deadlock.

Things picked up in the second half but Athletic coach Jupp Heynkes' decision to substitute front man Urzaiz and the already-booked Julen Guerrero seemed to go against the Basques even if only on a psychological level.

Real, with a new lease of life took the lead seconds after the interval when an unmarked Raul Gonzalez nodded home a cross from Michel Salgado.

The goal spurred Real to go in search of a second, and Fernando Hierro spotted Lafuente off his line and tried his luck from 50 yards only to see the ball bounce off the top of the bar.

Real's second goal came completely out of the blue after 72 minutes, Santiago Solari cut inside to launch a superb right-foot shot that Basque keeper Lafuente really should have held onto.

The home side had the better of what turned out to be a lacklustre second half and were rarely troubled by Bilbao.

Real will be relieved to have taken some pressure off with their second win so far this season, but Bilbao will be kicking themselves for letting in two simple goals.