Real Madrid ground out a 2-0 home win over Real Valladolid to trim Barcelona's lead at the top of the Primera Division back to six points.
It was far from entertaining fare at the Bernabeu but Real will not be overly concerned as goals towards the end of each half from Raul and Arjen Robben earned Juande Ramos's in-form side their fourteenth win in their last fifteen league games.
The triumph also ensured Real stayed within touching distance of Barcelona, who had moved nine points clear after beating Recreativo Huelva last night.