A first-half Julio Baptista goal gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win over arch-rivals Barcelona at the Camp Nou in La Liga's final round of matches before the Christmas break.

The Fabio Capello-esque, notably un-classic Clasico performance - where Barca dominated the possession but were constantly threatened by the compact and quick Real on the counter attack - put Real seven points clear of their second-placed rivals at the top of the Primera Division.

Real played the better football and deserved to win a nervy encounter, Barcelona looking sluggish and lacking the creativity that has become their trademark in recent seasons.

The match got off to a thunderous start and the visitors should have taken the lead when Ruud van Nistelrooy was sent clean through by a Raul flick, but the occasion even got to him as he fired wide with just Victor Valdes to beat in what would have been a controversial goal as the Dutchman was offside.

Defender Pepe then went close with a header, while Ronaldinho forced a quite brilliant stop from Iker Casillas just before the half hour.

Real took the lead soon afterwards, a swift counter-attacking move seeing Van Nistelrooy and Raul combine to release the late run of reborn midfielder Baptista, who sent a sweet finish into the top right.

Ronaldinho was restored to the starting eleven in what can only have been a psychological ploy by Frank Rijkaard as his form and fitness looked no better than it has been for almost two years now - poor.

His frustration at being unable to glide past Real defenders for fun or open their back four up with a killer pass was tangible, at one point uncharacteristically resorting to a dive when Fabio Cannavaro had stood off making the challenge.

The second-half saw the hosts exert more pressure on Real's goal, Samuel Eto'o and young substitutes Giovani and Bojan both going close with long range efforts and Yaya Toure sending a spinning volley just the wrong side of Iker Casillas' left hand post after Bernd Schuster's men failed to clear a corner with six minutes remaining.

But Barca lacked any real urgency to get a result and slumped to a disappointing defeat, their third in La Liga so far this season, leaving Real comfortable leaders and on course for a consecutive title.

- - - -

ATHLETIC BILBAO 1 REAL MURCIA 1

Bilbao were on course for only their second home win of the season when Koikili steered home the ball, after Pablo Orbaiz's penalty had been saved by Antonio Notario in the 45th minute.

But promoted Murcia's Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano levelled from a dubious penalty in the 54th. Bilbao finished with 10 men after defender Aitor Ocio was sent-off near the end.

- - - -

ATLETICO MADRID 1 ESPANYOL 2

Atletico lost top scorer Sergio Aguero to a straight red in the 30th minute and seven minutes later, Portugal winger Simao Sabrosa curled in a superb free kick to put the home side.

Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo chested the ball in at a corner to level in the 53rd, and Atletico were down to nine men when Mariano Pernia was sent off in the 55th. Luis Garcia raced on to Ivan de la Pena's pass to deliver Espanyol the three points with five minutes left, extending their unbeaten run to 13.

- - - -

LEVANTE 0 DEPORTIVO 1

Sergio scored from the penalty spot five minutes from time to give second-bottom Depor a 10 point lead over bottom club Levante and ease the pressure on their coach Miguel Angel Lotina.

- - - -

OSASUNA 3 REAL MALLORCA 1

Hector Font took advantage of hesitant defending to fire Osasuna in front after nine minutes and Czech striker Jaroslav Plasil finished off a swift counter-attack in the 47th to double the lead.

Mallorca's Daniel Guiza pulled one back with a close range shot two minutes later but Portugal midfielder Hugo Viana sealed the points for the home side in the last minute. Mallorca's fourth game without a win continued their slide.

- - - -

VALLADOLID 0 REAL BETIS 0

Valladolid peppered the visitors' goal with shots but new Betis coach Paco Chaparro made it seven points from a possible nine since he took over the ailing Andalucian club.

- - - -

VILLARREAL 1 RECREATIVO HUELVA 1

Recre's Javier Camunas slotted away Florent Sinama-Pongolle's pass in the 37th but two minutes later Santi Cazorla released Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci to level with a low drive.

Villarreal twice hit the woodwork but were unable to secure the three points.

- - - -

Reda Maher, Eurosport / Reuters