Real recorded their seventh successive league win after seeing off Atletico 2-0 at the Vicente Calderon thanks to first-half goals from prolific strike duo Raul and Van Nistelrooy.

That kept Real seven points clear of second-placed Barcelona, who eased past Racing Santander on Sunday night, while they are now 12 points clear of the team in third place, Villarreal.

It is certainly looking pretty good for Bernd Schuster's side and, combined with the fact they have now played all of their biggest rivals away from home, it is hard to see the defending champions slipping up.

However, Van Nistelrooy insists Real are not thinking that way, saying: "There are still 18 games remaining. That's a lot of time and we cannot think that we have won win anything yet."

The Dutchman netted his 12th league goal of the season against Atletico, doubling Real's lead just before the interval after captain Raul had given the visitors a first-minute advantage.

The timing of Van Nistelrooy's strike was crucial, not just because it came on the stroke of half-time but also because Atletico were pushing hard for an equaliser at the time.

"It is difficult to play there and even more so to get a victory, but we achieved it," Van Nistelrooy added.

"Atletico Madrid are a good team and they have had a good game. They created three or four dangerous chances, but we are solid in defence, we play as a team and we showed this.

"We need to continue like that, in the same fashion, and improve game by game."