Real Madrid 2 - Getafe 0

Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Iván Helguera, Raúl Bravo, Roberto Carlos; Zidane (Borja 89'), Guti, Solari; Raúl (Morientes 82'); Owen (Celades 72'), Ronaldo. 4-3-1-2.
Getafe: Sánchez Broto; Yanguas, Belenguer, Nano, Pernía; Diego Rivas, Gabi; Mario Cotelo (Gica Craioveanu 46'), Riki (Yordi 83'), Vivar Dorado (Gallardo 70'); Pachón. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Madrid: Raúl Bravo, Solari for Samuel, Figo / Getafe: Belenguer for Amaya.

Goals:
1-0. 28. Owen. Picked up pass from Ronaldo and fired low shot into bottom corner.
2-0. 78. Ronaldo. Following up after Sánchez Broto got a hand to Raúl's shot.

Real Madrid move up to third in the table after a 2-0 victory against city rivals Getafe, although it was another half-hearted performance by the "Galacticos" who were only let off the hook by the poor finishing of their opponents. It was the first time the two sides had met in the league, and Madrid were expected to get a big score against their poor neighbours who are currently down in the relegation zone. And there was a festival atmosphere as the home side players came on to the pitch all wearing the number seven shirt in honour of Raúl, who was celebrating his tenth anniversary since making his debut at the club.

It was the visitors though who had the early chances, Cotelo shooting wide and ex Real Madrid B forward Riki bringing a first save out of Casillas. Ronaldo shot wide at the other end after a pinpoint pass from Zidane, but a few minutes later Madrid were in the lead, Ronaldo winning the ball back from Belenguer and Owen running on to the rebound to fire a shot low past Sánchez Broto for his fourth goal in as many games.

Casillas was in action again before the break to save from Pachón, and the referee turned down a penalty appeal after the restart when Belenguer fell under Zidane's challenge. Gabi and Pachón both came close, and García Remón decided to make changes, taking off Owen, much to the disgust of the fans who would have preferred to see Ronaldo substituted.

But Ronaldo was to get the second goal soon afterwards, his 50th for the club, albeit thanks in large part to Raúl. The team captain controlled a long throw by Roberto Carlos and struck a shot goalwards, Sánchez Broto only able to get a hand to it and leave it in the path of the Brazilian striker. Raúl was replaced a couple of minutes later by Morientes to a standing ovation.

Even so Getafe didn't give up, and Gica Craioveanu should have pulled one back when the ball fell to him in the area, his shot flying well over the bar with the goal at his mercy. It summed up a frustrating night for the Madrid based side, and they drop even further into the relegation zone. And with Valencia their visitors at the Alfonso Pérez stadium next weekend, it doesn't get any easier.