DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Wednesday, January 31, 2001 - Web posted at 8:37:43 AM GMT

Raul goal puts Real clear

MADRID - An 82nd minute goal from Spanish international striker Raul gave Real Madrid a 1-0 victory at Valencia on Sunday to extend their lead to seven points at the top of the first division.

Real lead the table on 45 points with Deportivo Coruna in second spot on 38 after they were held to a 2-2 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Barcelona are a point behind Deportivo after they also missed an opportunity to maintain the pressure on Real following their goalless draw at Malaga on Saturday.

Fourth-placed Valencia are now a further two points back and a full 10 behind Real.

After successive defeats at the hands of Barcelona and Deportivo Coruna, Hector Cuper's side submitted the leaders to half an hour of intense pressure at the start of the match.

Midfielder Gaizka Mendieta sent in a succession of teasing crosses towards the towering presence of Norwegian forward John Carew to cause plenty of problems for the Real defence.

But the home side, urged on by a packed crowd at the Mestalla stadium, were unable to convert their dominance into a goal.

Real looked dangerous on the counter-attack and with midfielder Ivan Helguera always on the look-out for chinks in the Valencia defence the game saw a series of chances at both ends.

It was Luis Figo that came closest to scoring in the last minute of the first half after his curling free kick forced a full-stretch save from keeper Santiago Canizares.

The pace slowed in the second half with neither side able to penetrate the congested midfield but just when the game looked to be heading for a draw Real snatched the victory.

Substitute Pedro Munitis spun in a curling cross that was headed down powerfully by centre forward Fernando Morientes.

Canizares pulled off a brilliant reflex save, but only managed to palm the ball into the path of the advancing Raul who blasted home for his 11th goal of the season.

An exhausted Valencia were unable to react and now find themselves dangerously far behind the top three teams.

- Nampa-Sapa-AP

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