Real Madrid cuts Barca, Atletico lead

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A ten-man Real Madrid needed early goals to secure a 2-0 Spanish league win over Rayo Vallecano in a night affair on Sunday 17 February 2013 at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium.

Alvaro Morata opened the scores for Real Madrid after just three minutes before skipper Sergio Ramos doubled the lead nine minutes later to complete the scoring in the game.

Collect

Ramos did not last long on the pitch as he was handed marching orders five minutes after he scored after a second booking.

There were to be no further goals as Real Madrid went on to collect three points to move their season haul to 49 points from 24 rounds of play.

Earlier on Sunday Atletico Madrid had opened a seven point gap over Real Madrid after a clinical 3-0 away win over Manucho Concalves Valladolid thanks to goals from Radamel Falcao, Diego Costa and Cristian Rodriguez.

Reduced

But the win over Rayo for the third placed Real Madrid narrowed the gap to restore the original four point gap before the Sunday games.

On Saturday leaders Barcelona opened a 19 point gap over the reigning Champions after coming from behind to see off host Granada 2-1. The lead is now reduced to 16 points.