The Hindu : Sport / Football : Real Madrid moves to the top

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Thursday, Sep 23, 2004

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Sport - Football

Real Madrid moves to the top

MADRID, SEPT. 22. David Beckham scored from a 61st-minute free-kick on Tuesday as Real Madrid edged Osasuna 1-0 to move into first place in the Spanish league and give new coach Mariano Garcia Remon a winning start.

The goal by Beckham, who was recalled by Garcia Remon after being dropped last weekend, boosted the morale of the troubled team, whose coach Jose Antonio Camacho resigned on Sunday.

Fans whistled Madrid players during the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in protest at their poor recent form. The main target was left back Roberto Carlos, whom supporters believe showed a lack of support for Camacho during his four-month spell in charge.

"It was a difficult game to take on but we go to bed tonight as leaders and Jose will certainly be happy," Garcia Remon said. "Today we're leaders thanks to the work done by Jose."

Madrid has nine points from four games, two more than Espanyol, Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza and Osasuna, which all have played three matches. Osasuna also has seven but from four games.

Already without injured Zinedine Zidane and suspended Walter Samuel, Michel Salgado and Jose Maria `Guti' Gutierrez, Madrid lost Argentina midfielder Santiago Solari in the ninth minute with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

Osasuna, which won 3-0 on its last visit in April and came into the match unbeaten, had little trouble smothering a Madrid team, which looked short on confidence for the first half hour.

Madrid then began to create chances with Raul Gonzalez, who also returned to the team, hitting the bar in the 33rd minute and goalkeeper Ricardo Sanzol making two good saves from midfielder Albert Celades and Solari's replacement Fernando Morientes.

Garcia Remon's side continued its revival after the interval and, after several near misses, Beckham netted his second goal of the season from just outside the penalty area in a replica of his game-winning free-kick against Numancia in Madrid's previous home game.

Brazilian ace Ronaldo again looked off form and was replaced by Michael Owen in the 81st minute. The England striker made little impact. — AP

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