Real Madrid 3 - Deportivo La Coruña 0

Real Madrid: Casillas (César 68'); Michel Salgado (Geremi 32'), Karanka, Hierro, Roberto Carlos; Flavio Conceiçao (Iván Helguera 61'), Makelele; Figo, Guti, Munitis; Raúl. 4-2-3-1.
Deportivo: Molina; Manuel Pablo, Naybet, Donato, Romero; Mauro Silva, César Sampaio (Valerón 55'); Scaloni (Víctor 70'), Fran (Emerson 8'), Turu Flores; Diego Tristán. 4-3-2-1.

Team changes: Madrid: Makelele for Iván Helguera / Deportivo: Scaloni for Víctor.

Goals:
1-0. 18. Raúl. Half hit shot after Figo beat player on right and laid ball in.
2-0. 45. Hierro (penalty). Following foul by Manuel Pablo on Roberto Carlos.
3-0. 87. Guti. Rose above defence to head home Geremi's cross from right.

Real Madrid moved to the top of the Spanish first division for the first time in over a year, and they did so in style, beating last year's champions and current league leaders Deportivo La Coruña by three clear goals. Deportivo were looking for their first victory in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium since 1955, the only time they have won away against Real Madrid, but they were no match for the revitalised European champions, whose recent form has finally attracted attention from their fans. For the first time in three years the "sold out" notices went up before the game, with a capacity crowd of 76,000 fans cheering their team on.

Both managers fielded full teams despite having important Champions League games midweek, with Del Bosque only resting Iván Helguera from his first choice eleven, and Irureta preferring the more defensive Scaloni on the right of midfield to Víctor in order to close down Roberto Carlos's dangerous runs down the left wing. They may however pay the price, with key players picking up injuries on both sides which could weaken their sides for their European matches. Deportivo lost their captain Fran as early as the eighth minute of the game with a knee injury, and Real Madrid had to change right back Salgado in the first half and keeper Casillas in the second, both with muscle strains. All three will undergo tests in the next couple of days, but could miss the midweek ties.

Luis Figo was on his best form, given a free role by Del Bosque to make the plays as he saw fit, and he made the first breakthrough in the eighteenth minute after dribbling round Mauro Silva on the right and laying the ball across to Raúl in front of goal. Although it looked as if Raúl was trying to control it with his left foot, the ball ran slowly over the line without needing a second touch. There was little reaction from Deportivo though, and their first real effort on goal came from Diego Tristán five minutes before half time, Casillas saving the day once again. A few minutes later Madrid went two up after Roberto Carlos was brought down in the penalty area by Manuel Pablo, Hierro making no mistake from the spot kick.

In the second half Munitis should have extended the home side's lead on two or three occasions, but this was not his night and after shooting wide twice when alone in front of goal, his next effort went straight at keeper Molina. Deportivo were missing their captain Fran, and Irureta decided to bring on Valerón, with Emerson dropping back to take Sampaio's place. They still did not make any head-road however, and even when Víctor came on for Scaloni they created no danger for Casillas. Just to be sure though Del Bosque brought on Helguera, and a few minutes later Casillas limped off to be replaced by César, making his league debut for his new team. Molina saved twice from the ever dangerous Figo, and just as the game was coming to a close Guti drove the final nail into the coffin with a fine header from Geremi's cross.

Even last season Deportivo's away form was not good, and they will surely bounce back from this. However they lose their place at the head of the table to Madrid, and with direct goal average counting ahead of general, this result virtually counts for four points. That will be forgotten for a few days as they play hosts to Italian giants Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, and although probably missing Fran, Djalminha should be fit to take his place. Real Madrid are getting their game together, and although Tuesday's game with Bayer Leverkusen is important, the big one comes next Saturday against Barcelona in the Camp Nou. With both clubs recording good wins this weekend, the stage is set. Let the play begin!