Strikes from ex-Liverpool duo Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa put Real Madrid in control of proceedings after Jose Antonio Reyes had slotted home a first half effort for the away side giving them the lead. Gonzalo Higuain then continued his fine record against the down town Madrid outfit with Madrid’s third, whilst a Diego Forlan penalty was a late consolation to reduce the arrears for the visitors.
Manuel Pellegrini’s mens second derby duel in less than a week following Thursdays 4-2 triumph at neighbours Getafe saw Brazilian Marcelo return to the first team fray in the absence of Ezequiel Garay whom picked up a knock at the Coliseum. This switch meant Spaniard Sergio Ramos reverted to a centre back role with Fernando Gago retaining his place in the heart of midfield.
Following an inconsistent but improving season, Atletico under the calm and astute leadership of Quique Sanchez Flores settled the better and it was who else but Jose Antonio Reyes (10) once again planting himself in the thick of the action. The wide-man, scored two goals three seasons ago to rescue the La Liga title for Real Madrid at home to Real Mallorca on the last day of the season in David Beckham’s fairytale send-off but this time he had no such debt to pay as he collected a tidy pass off a skilful Tiago- Aguero exchange to then wonderfully curl the ball with his left foot around Iker Casillas from 18 yards out into the bottom of corner, creating a deafly silence at a capacity Bernabeu.
Atletico appeared in control and they were looking good for their lead, as well as hoping they could secure their first win across the city in a decade. To do this, nonetheless they had to defend manfully at the back, but they were inches away from being unstuck mid-way through the first half. A Whites corner somehow found its way to La Pipeta, who swivelled and poked goalwards into an empty net at close range only for Portuguese starlet Tiago to make an incredible clearance on the line prolonging a chorus of frustration sailing around Madrid’s headquarters.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a lot of first half possession but he along with the rest of the Real Madrid could not find the creative instinct they were looking for to carve through an experienced Atletico centre. Just before the half time exchange the world’s most expensive marksman had the goal at his mercy finding himself unmarked six yards out but he somehow managed to screw a header wide much to his and the 80,000 plus spectators disbelief.
Real Madrid’s first half midfield display had been disjointed whilst lacking a prominent imaginative spark, though Xabi Alonso found the answer to the home team’s woes straight after the re-start. Pellegrini must have sent his men out fired up as Raul Albiol won a potent first header from a corner directing it into the path of Alonso (50) positioned on the goal line to blast into the roof of the net, the Spanish international’s second consecutive home strike. The goal scorer brilliantly turned provider just minutes later. After picking up the ball in his own half Alonso drilled an immaculate long range path diagonally to Alvaro Arbeloa (57)and the full back on the run controlled exquisitely, jinking right then left past Dominquez in the Atletico box before delicately placing the ball past goalkeeping prodigy David De Gea completing a devastating Real Madrid fight back.
Alvaro Arbeloa (above) can barely contain himself after scoring Real Madrid's second.
The floodgates were now open for relentless pressure by the home side and it appeared only a matter of time before Gonzalo Higuain scored yet again against one of Los Blancos’s closest rivals when he took advantage of a defensive miss-hap to sneak in and tuck away his 23rd league goal of a blistering campaign.
A late consolation goal for Los Indios added a more competitive appearance to the score line then it actually was, but Diego Forlan’s (69) penalty following a Xabi Alonso handball aside Real Madrid were good value for their win which means they continue their reign at the top of the La Liga summit.
Real Madrid
Casillas: 7: At fault for neither of the goals.
Arbeloa: 8: Outstanding take and finish, the un-song hero of the Madrid side.
Marcelo: 6: Added his usual energy and fight on the left, but lacking in the final third.
Albiol: 7: Solid as ever, done brilliantly to win the first header for Alonso’s goal.
Ramos: 7: Looks a natual at centre half even though he prefers playing full back.
Gago: 6: Made some early runs forward and got about the pitch but lacking any real quality in his game.
Alonso: 7: Poor first half, but sprung to life in the second with an instinctive finish and a breathtaking assist for Arbeloa.
Granero: 5: Too slow whilst in possession and didn’t look a threat from midfield.
Van der Vaart: 6: Tried his hardest to be the attacking force in a defensive first half midfield but he struggled to get on the ball.
Ronaldo: 6: Off target with his shooting but was always involved as well as looking the most likely to produce something when he had the ball.
Higuain: 7: Another game, another goal, there is no let-up for the Argentinean.
Substitutes: Raul 6: Came close to scoring a possible farewell derby goal. Guti: 6: Probably thought he would of been needed earlier but game was already sewn up upon his arrival. M.Diarra: 5: Late cameo appearance to sure things up.
Atletico: De Gea 7: Dominquez 6: Lopez 7: Valera: 5 Assuncao 5: Tiago 8: Reyes: 7: Simao 6: Aguero 5: Forlan 6. Substitutes: Perea 6: Jurado 5: Salvio 5
Enjoyed reading this mate. Didn't actually see the game as was in Amsterdam but looks like Real are gonna push Barca all the way! x
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