Los Angeles Galaxy bound David Beckham made his first appearance for Real Madrid since the start of March on Saturday and supplied the cross for their winning goal as they secured a 2-1 win over Valencia.
Real Madrid showed they are not about to give up their title bid without a fight after downing fellow high-flyers Valencia at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
A week after losing 2-1 at Racing Santander to slip five points adrift of leaders Barcelona, Madrid bounced back with an impressive display to beat fourth-placed Valencia by the same scoreline.
Ruud van Nistelrooy scored one of the goals of the season at the Bernabeu to put the hosts ahead in the 18th minute, and although Fernando Morientes drew Valencia level just after half-time, Sergio Ramos headed home Beckham's free-kick for a deserved winner.
There was little to separate the two sides in the opening quarter-of-an-hour, with neither goalkeeper really being tested. Valencia had the first real sight of goal in the 17th minute, with David Villa proving a menace down Madrid's left.
The Spain international bustled his way through two tackles to open up a shooting angle, and although his effort was poorly struck it almost deflected in off team-mate David Silva.
Madrid responded to that let-off in the best possible fashion - by taking the lead just seconds later with a sublime goal.
The ball was rapidly transferred from one side of the pitch to the other in a slick one-touch passing move before ending up at the feet of left-back Miguel Torres.
His first-time cross to the far edge of the box cleared everybody apart from Van Nistelrooy, who was on hand to smash home a fantastic curling volley from 18 yards out.
That goal set Valencia back on their heels and only some last-ditch defending prevented Madrid, and Raul in particular, from having further chances to increase their lead in a five-minute purple patch.
Valencia weathered that storm, though, and former Bernabeu favourite Morientes then had a half-chance to draw his side level in the 28th minute but was unable to keep his header down following a corner.
Morientes had a better opportunity on the stroke of half-time when he screwed a left-foot shot wide.
The ex-Madrid striker was not to be denied when presented with his third chance though, as he drew Valencia level six minutes into the second half.
Joaquin Sanchez left Torres for dead down the left before dinking a cross into the box where the unmarked Morientes was able to slot home a shot into the bottom corner of Casillas' net.
Madrid almost conjured up an immediate riposte but Gonzalo Higuain was just unable to toe-poke his shot past Santiago Canizares, with the ball rebounding away for a corner.
That was a rare chance for Madrid at the start of the second half though, with Valencia firmly on top following their goal.
Los Che looked a threat every time they went forward and Madrid's overworked defence was being stretched to breaking point.
Madrid coach Fabio Capello decided it was time for a change in the 63rd minute and he sacrificed holding midfielder Gago for playmaker Guti.
And within seconds of Guti's arrival Canizares was called into action to save Raul's low shot, although the Madrid substitute had little part to play in that incident.
Soon after that Capello made his second switch, with the fit-again Beckham replacing Higuain on the right of midfield.
Beckham was making his first appearance for Madrid since suffering a knee injury in a clash here against Getafe at the start of March, and he received a rapturous welcome from the home fans.
And the former England captain did not take long to make a telling contribution, setting up Ramos to restore Madrid's lead in the 74th minute.
Beckham won a free-kick on the right and, from the resulting dead-ball, he sent a brilliant cross into the six-yard box where Ramos was on hand to head past Canizares.
Beckham then set Robinho up for another opening two minutes later, but the Brazilian smashed his shot over the bar from 15 yards out.
Madrid were dominant but Valencia proved they were not out of it as Asier del Horno stung Casillas' palms with a well-struck volley in the 81st minute.
Van Nistelrooy then saw a shot go narrowly wide before Villa saw his header saved by Casillas as Valencia sought a last-gasp equaliser.
A spectator ran on the pitch late on to hand Beckham a t-shirt, but that did nothing to disrupt the home side's concentration as they held on for what could prove to be a crucial win.
A week after losing 2-1 at Racing Santander to slip five points adrift of leaders Barcelona, Madrid bounced back with an impressive display to beat fourth-placed Valencia by the same scoreline.
Ruud van Nistelrooy scored one of the goals of the season at the Bernabeu to put the hosts ahead in the 18th minute, and although Fernando Morientes drew Valencia level just after half-time, Sergio Ramos headed home Beckham's free-kick for a deserved winner.
There was little to separate the two sides in the opening quarter-of-an-hour, with neither goalkeeper really being tested. Valencia had the first real sight of goal in the 17th minute, with David Villa proving a menace down Madrid's left.
The Spain international bustled his way through two tackles to open up a shooting angle, and although his effort was poorly struck it almost deflected in off team-mate David Silva.
Madrid responded to that let-off in the best possible fashion - by taking the lead just seconds later with a sublime goal.
The ball was rapidly transferred from one side of the pitch to the other in a slick one-touch passing move before ending up at the feet of left-back Miguel Torres.
His first-time cross to the far edge of the box cleared everybody apart from Van Nistelrooy, who was on hand to smash home a fantastic curling volley from 18 yards out.
That goal set Valencia back on their heels and only some last-ditch defending prevented Madrid, and Raul in particular, from having further chances to increase their lead in a five-minute purple patch.
Valencia weathered that storm, though, and former Bernabeu favourite Morientes then had a half-chance to draw his side level in the 28th minute but was unable to keep his header down following a corner.
Morientes had a better opportunity on the stroke of half-time when he screwed a left-foot shot wide.
The ex-Madrid striker was not to be denied when presented with his third chance though, as he drew Valencia level six minutes into the second half.
Joaquin Sanchez left Torres for dead down the left before dinking a cross into the box where the unmarked Morientes was able to slot home a shot into the bottom corner of Casillas' net.
Madrid almost conjured up an immediate riposte but Gonzalo Higuain was just unable to toe-poke his shot past Santiago Canizares, with the ball rebounding away for a corner.
That was a rare chance for Madrid at the start of the second half though, with Valencia firmly on top following their goal.
Los Che looked a threat every time they went forward and Madrid's overworked defence was being stretched to breaking point.
Madrid coach Fabio Capello decided it was time for a change in the 63rd minute and he sacrificed holding midfielder Gago for playmaker Guti.
And within seconds of Guti's arrival Canizares was called into action to save Raul's low shot, although the Madrid substitute had little part to play in that incident.
Soon after that Capello made his second switch, with the fit-again Beckham replacing Higuain on the right of midfield.
Beckham was making his first appearance for Madrid since suffering a knee injury in a clash here against Getafe at the start of March, and he received a rapturous welcome from the home fans.
And the former England captain did not take long to make a telling contribution, setting up Ramos to restore Madrid's lead in the 74th minute.
Beckham won a free-kick on the right and, from the resulting dead-ball, he sent a brilliant cross into the six-yard box where Ramos was on hand to head past Canizares.
Beckham then set Robinho up for another opening two minutes later, but the Brazilian smashed his shot over the bar from 15 yards out.
Madrid were dominant but Valencia proved they were not out of it as Asier del Horno stung Casillas' palms with a well-struck volley in the 81st minute.
Van Nistelrooy then saw a shot go narrowly wide before Villa saw his header saved by Casillas as Valencia sought a last-gasp equaliser.
A spectator ran on the pitch late on to hand Beckham a t-shirt, but that did nothing to disrupt the home side's concentration as they held on for what could prove to be a crucial win.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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