Real remained top on 72 points, on level with second-placed Barca but Los Merengues have the head-to-head record advantage.

At Santiago Bernabeu, the home side took a controversial 29th minute lead through Spanish international defender Sergio Ramos.

Roberto Carlos and David Beckham combined well on the left flank as the latter whipped in a left-footed cross for Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

The Dutchman clearly handled the ball to beat Jorge Andrade in the air and set up Raul Gonzalez, but Alberto Lopo blocked off the line before Ramos bundled in to hit an empty net.

The in-form Beckham was having a fine game as he rattled a trade-mark free kick off the left post of Dudu Aouate who was well beaten five minutes after the break.

The visitors equalized five minutes later, when Joan Capdevila connected with Julian De Guzman's low cross to fire in from close range.

However, Depor's joy with the equalizer lasted for two minutes, as Beckham justified his recent return to the England squad with a pinpoint cross to Raul, and this time the skipper 'legally' rose above Andrade to head in the second.

Liga top scorer Van Nistelrooy added a third after 75 minutes with a typical point-blank finish into an empty net after Raul tussled inside the box with 3 defenders.

At Camp Nou, Ronaldinho netted a second minute goal to settle a tense game against the team who tormented Barca in the Spanish Cup two weeks ago.

The Brazilian scored the easiest of goals after Samuel Eto'o took on two defenders to burst his way into the area before releasing Ronaldinho with a slick pass beating the keeper, and Ronnie found no problem to hit the empty net.

A drubbing revenge looked on its way, but the lead was not to be stretched over a period of 88 minutes.

However, Ronaldinho still had something to say but for all the wrong reasons, when he brutally kicked Getafe defender David Belenguer in the 38th minute after the latter produced a silly foul against the Brazilian.

The referee had no option but to show him the red card, and Barca will miss his services for the remainder of the season.