First Division - Day 7

Real Madrid 4 - Valladolid 2

Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Raúl Albiol, Pepe, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Lass; Granero, Raúl (Drenthe 81'), Van der Vaart (Kaká 71'); Benzema (Higuaín 71'). 4-2-3-1.
Valladolid: Jacobo; Pedro López, Luis Prieto, César Arzo, Nivaldo; Alvaro Rubio, Borja (Pelé 78'); Nauzet (Manucho 57'), Héctor Font (Bueno 76'), Marquitos; Diego Costa. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 13. Raúl. Flicked ball across goal on near post from Granero's centre.
2-0. 18. Raúl. Connected with Marcelo cross and shot wide of Jacobo.
2-1. 29. Nauzet. Curled free kick over defensive wall and in off near post.
3-1. 45. Marcelo. Cut in from left wing and fired shot wide of keeper.
3-2. 53. Marquitos. Ran on to Diego Costa pass and shot past Casillas.
4-2. 79. Higuaín. Picked up long Xabi Alonso pass and chipped keeper.

Yellow cards: César Arzo 19', Sergio Ramos 43', Xabi Alonso 53', Pelé 91'.

Real Madrid moved to within a point of leaders Barcelona after a 4-2 victory over Valladolid. Raúl celebrated a record 711th appearance for his club with two goals in the opening twenty minutes, the first from Granero's cross and the second after Marcelo set him up. Nauzet pulled one back with a spectacular free kick, but on the stroke of half time Marcelo silenced his critics with a shot from outside of the area to restore the two goal cushion.

Shortly after the restart Marquitos got a second for the visitors, and with the result in danger Pellegrini resorted to Kaká and Higuaín. It proved to be a good decision, as a few minutes later Higuaín ran on to Xabi Alonso's long ball to chip Jacobo for his side's fourth. There was still time for a late scare when Albiol had to clear off the line from Diego Costa, but the three points were already in the bag.