The visitors created the better chances in the first hour of the match, but two goals in quick succession from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robinho earned Real their ninth league win out of nine at home this season.

The pressure continues to mount on Deportivo La Coruna coach Miguel Angel Lotina after his side crashed to a sixth home league defeat of the season against Atletico Madrid.

Diego Forlan got Atletico up and running shortly before the break before second-half goals from Sergio Aguero and Jose Manuel Jurado secured a 3-0 victory to keep the Rojiblancos in the hunt for a Champions League spot.

Mohamed Tchite scored his fourth goal of the season as Racing Santander got back to winning ways with a 1-0 success against Athletic Bilbao.

But any hopes Valencia had of emerging from their recent slump in the Primera Liga were dashed as Ronald Koeman's side were held to a goalless draw at home by basement boys Levante.

Koeman opted for a three-pronged attack, but the goals failed to materialise and a frustrating afternoon was completed when Valencia substitute Nikola Zigic was sent off late on.

Also on Sunday, Sevilla made an impressive start to 2008 with a 3-0 win over city rivals Real Betis.

Luis Fabiano grabbed two goals for the hosts while Daniel Alves also added his name to the scoresheet to steer Sevilla to their eighth success of the season.

Dorado struck twice and Alvaro Rubio also netted to help Real Valladolid seal a 3-0 triumph at Getafe.

Real Murcia edged further away from the bottom three after goals from Henok Goitom and Abel Gomez gave them a much-needed 2-0 win over Osasuna.

And Recreativo Huelva were frustrated by a stubborn Almeria as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Recre took the lead through Florent Sinama Pongolle, but were pegged back soon after by Jose Manuel Mane's equaliser.

Yesterday, Barcelona ensured they remained second in La Liga after a 2-0 win over Real Mallorca, the goals coming from Rafael Marquez and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.

And Espanyol blitzed fellow high-fliers Villarreal 3-0 to continue their remarkable run of form.