In a game of few decent goal scoring opportunities, Mahamadou Diarras header after seven minutes settled the contest in favour of Fabio Capellos men. The win lifts Madrid to the top of the standings ahead of Sundays clashes, while defeat ends a miserable week for Betis which began with a derby loss to Sevilla.
Madrid were quickly out of the blocks and Betis goalkeeper Antonio Doblas was called into action as early as the fourth minute to push over a deflected Jose Antonio Reyes free-kick, although it was nothing more than a regulation save. Doblas was beaten just seconds later though when the ball took a deflection off one of his own defenders and trickled past him. But, fortunately for Betis, the ball rolled just wide of the post. The hosts luck did not hold much longer however as Madrid took the lead soon after.
A short corner was played to Cicinho and his superb cross was met at the far post by a thumping header from Diarra for his first goal for Madrid. Reyes, who scored on his home debut against Real Sociedad last weekend, was at the heart of the action early on and he almost doubled Madrids lead in the ninth minute. The on-loan Arsenal winger played a one-two with Guti before drilling in a low shot that the sprawling Doblas did well to push away at full stretch.
That was almost a moment to savour for Reyes, who used to play for Betis bitter city rivals Sevilla. Betis, who suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 derby defeat to Sevilla last weekend, were struggling to produce anything going forward and they had to wait until the 35th minute for their first effort. It came from a corner on the left that Juanito met at the back post with a powerful downward header that Iker Casillas needed two attempts to gather.
That proved to be the final chance of the opening period, which ended with Madrid deservedly holding the edge. However, it was not all good news for Capellos troops with Cicinho having been stretchered off in tears in the 30th minute after suffering what looked to be a serious knee injury while turning to chase the ball. The second half started in a similar fashion to the first - with Madrid again quick to stamp their authority on proceedings.
A superb pass from Guti put Ruud van Nistelrooy through on goal but the Dutchman was denied by a crucial stop from Doblas as he looked to round the outrushing goalkeeper. A mis-hit Reyes effort then presented Antonio Cassano with a chance, but the Italian tried to be too clever with his finish and his attempted back-heel ended up going away from goal. Reyes, who had looked lively throughout, was replaced in the 67th minute by David Beckham, with the former Sevilla mans departure greeted by a chorus of jeers from by the home fans.
Beckhams first contribution was to get booked for simulation after going to go ground far too easily on the edge of the Betis penalty area. Betis were still finding it tough to break through the Madrid backline and Capi was forced to try his luck from distance with an effort that was well-struck, but off-target. Home coach Javier Irureta threw on young Germany winger David Odonkor with 17 minutes left in a bid provide some impetus on the right.
However, the summer signing could make little headway against Roberto Carlos - making his 500th appearance for Madrid - as the visitors defence withstood some late Betis pressure to pick up their third clean sheet in four La Liga outings. Raul had a chance to double Madrids lead deep into injury-time, but his attempted lob was blocked by Doblas before Van Nistelrooy blazed the rebound over in what was the games final incident. To add salt to their wounds, Betis finished the game with 10 men following the late dismissal of defender Nano. |
