Raul header puts Real back on top in Spain

Spanish international forward Raul struck seven minutes from time to earn Real Madrid a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo on Saturday and take his side back to the top of the table.

Raul produced a finely judged flick-header from Zinedine Zidane's cross from the left to put a gloss on what had been a drab performance until then.

The result gave the Spanish title favourites 49 points from 28 games, two clear of Valencia, who are away to Real Zaragoza on Sunday.

Deportivo Coruna joined Valencia on 47 points in third place with a 1-0 win at Sevilla.

Real Betis remain in fourth place, three points behind the leaders, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Villarreal.

Barcelona, fifth on 43 points, can overtake Betis in the fourth Champions League spot if they win at home to Malaga on Sunday.

POOR RUN

Real Madrid travelled to Celta without a win from their five previous away games in the league and they looked extremely unlikely to overturn that poor run as their opponents dominated an untidy game.

Celta came close to opening the scoring on 15 minutes, as Alexander Mostovoi found space on the left of the area and blasted in a shot that Cesar did well to block.

Catanha looked favourite to win the race to the rebound but the Real keeper managed to palm the ball clear. Fernando Morientes missed a good chance for Real five minutes later, screwing his shot wide after Zidane and Raul had combined to put him through on goal.

Mostovoi almost turned in a right-wing cross on 28 minutes but the Russian could not make a proper connection at the near post. Giovanella then cut inside from the left and flashed a shot just over the bar and shortly afterwards Gustavo Lopez followed suit, this time Cesar tipping over a fierce drive.

Celta continued to enjoy the best of the game in the second half but they could not find their touch in front of goal and Real made them pay as Zidane took a pass out left from Guti at the second attempt and crossed for Raul to head the winner.

Deportivo's victory over Sevilla came courtesy of a Roy Makaay goal on 52 minutes.

Javier Irureta's side could find none of the flowing football of their Champions League victory over Juventus in midweek but they won the three points with a disciplined display.