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La Liga

Record-breaking Raul helped Real Madrid return to winning ways with a brace in a hard-fought victory over Real Valladolid.

Raul had been presented with a trophy by Madrid president Florentino Perez just prior to kick-off for breaking Manuel Sanchis' club record of official appearances for the Spanish giants, and he marked the occasion with two more goals.

The veteran forward, who is also Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer, struck twice in the opening 18 minutes and Marcelo (45) and Gonzalo Higuain (79) were also on the scoresheet as Manuel Pellegrini's side bounced back from their 2-1 defeat at Sevilla to make it six wins in seven Primera Division outings.

It was not a straightforward win for the title hopefuls though, and Valladolid might easily have netted more than the two goals they got through Nauzet Aleman (29) and Marquitos (53) but for some brilliant goalkeeping from Iker Casillas.

Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero featured heavily at the start of the game and he twice went close from outside the area as well as having strong claims for a penalty turned down.

It was therefore no surprise to see the former Getafe midfielder help Madrid take the lead, breaking down the right and firing over a low cross that Raul diverted into the back of the net with the outside of his left foot.

That was in the 14th minute and just four minutes later the home side were celebrating their second goal, with that man Raul again on the mark.

This time the cross came from the left, from Marcelo, but the finish from Raul was just as clinical, the former Spain forward slotting home a low right-footed shot from 12 yards.

At that point Valladolid fans must have feared another heavy thrashing at the Bernabeu, with their side having lost 7-0 here two years ago and 7-2 during the 2003/04 season.

However, the visitors gave themselves a massive boost and a foothold back into the match when they pulled a goal back in the 28th minute thanks to a fantastic 25-yard free-kick from winger Nauzet.

Casillas was left with no chance as Nauzet's inch-perfect effort curled into the near top corner, striking the inside of the post on its way into the net.

That goal silenced the Bernabeu, and Valladolid almost caused further embarrassment for their hosts soon after when Cesar Arzo met Nauzet's corner at the near post, only to head narrowly wide.

A goal then could have seen Madrid under real pressure, but the capital club survived and they would go on to restore their two-goal lead thanks to an effort from Marcelo that rivalled Nauzet's for brilliance.

The Valladolid defence must have felt there was little danger as Marcelo charged in-field before lining up an ambitious 25-yard effort on his less-favoured right foot, but the Brazil full-back stunned the visitors by finding the top corner of the net with an unstoppable thunderbolt.

Marcelo will have been especially pleased with the goal as he had come in for criticism for his performance in the defeat to Sevilla.

Marcelo also would have hoped his strike, which was the final act of the first half, would herald a more comfortable second period for Madrid, but that was not to be the case as battling Valladolid pulled another goal back eight minutes after the restart.

Diego Costa created the chance as he slotted a pass through Pepe's legs and into the path of Marquitos, who fired a first-time shot past Casillas and into the corner of the net.

And in similar fashion to the first half, Valladolid also came close to an equaliser after winning a header from a corner, although this time Casillas was on hand to save Nivaldo's effort.

Casillas also needed to be alert to parry away Pedro Lopez's long-range effort with 13 minutes to go as Valladolid continued to make life uncomfortable for their hosts right until the end.

However, that would be the closest Jose Luis Mendilibar's side would came to drawing level as moments later substitute Higuain put Madrid 4-2 ahead with a fine goal.

Xabi Alonso's fantastic pass put Higuain through on goal and the Argentinian produced a finish to match, delicately chipping the ball over the stranded Jacobo Sanz to seal the win.