Madrid: Real Madrid produced a far from convincing performance in Santander this evening, but did just enough to see off Racing for a 2-0 victory that returns them to the top of the Primera Division.
Cristiano Ronaldo netted a first-half penalty and Gonzalo Higuain wrapped up the win with a neat finish, to condemn Miguel Angel Portugal's side to yet another home defeat.
The match started at an incredible pace, as the Verdiblancos immediately set themselves up to take the game to Real Madrid. Manuel Pellegrini’s side, though have been ruthless away from home this season and looked to attack on the counter whenever possible.
However, it was the hosts that had the better of the early openings. Mohamed Tchite should have did better with a header that was some way off target, while Sergio Canales, the much-discussed youngster who will move onto the Real Madrid payroll next summer, lobbed Casillas from outside the area but his effort drifted just wide of the post.
It was a patchwork Los Blancos side, particularly in defence; Christoph Metzelder was handed a rare start in the centre alongside Raul Albiol, while in midfield the unconventional pairing of Fernando Gago and Lassana Diarra were employed to protect the back four.
But any side with Cristiano Ronaldo in full flight is dangerous, and the Portuguese fired a warning to Barcelona ahead of next weekend’s El Clasico encounter by opening the scoring midway through the first half.
The former Manchester United star drove directly at Moraton, forcing him into a reckless challenge. Ronaldo brushed himself down and slotted home the spot-kick with conviction to hand Real Madrid a precious lead.
With that, any momentum that the home side had built up was quickly dashed, and Racing struggled to get any foothold on the match. Real Madrid were winning but had been far from convincing in a scrappy opening 45 minutes.
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As the game progressed, Racing’s frustration at home bore fruit once again. They have won just twice at El Sardinero in la Primera all season, the worst record in the division, and they begun handling Ronaldo with some less than favourable treatment as another below-par performance aggravated them.
Diop, Pinillos and Torrejon all had lunges at CR9, with the latter eventually being cautioned for his poor challenge, and the referee was forced to continually stop proceedings to award free kicks and lecture players.
As a result, the game could not gather any flow or coherent play, which suited Real Madrid – they held the lead, and invited the Verdiblancos, who had failed to net in their last four home matches, to break them down.
Ultimately, they were unable to even create a clear opening, and Los Blancos put them out of their misery fifteen minutes from time to seal the points.
Second half substitute Guti produced a wonderful through pass that was expertly controlled by Gonzalo Higuain, who bore down on goal and slotted with ease past the advancing Fabio Coltorti.
The match was over as a contest, and although Guti himself should have perhaps added a third, but struck the top of the crossbar, it was exactly the kind of match that coach Manuel Pellegrini would have been looking for prior to the season-defining match versus Barcelona next weekend.
Real Madrid had won without impressing, but also without exerting too much effort - next stop El Clasico.
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