MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster enjoyed a successful return to former club Getafe on Sunday with a Sergio Ramos goal seeing the champions reclaim top spot in the Spanish first division with a 1-0 win over their local neighbours.

Incredibly Getafe, who Schuster left in the summer to join Real, had never lost at home in the league to Real but Ramos's goal on 65 minutes ended that run as Real moved a point clear of Villarreal at the summit.

Villarreal, trounced 5-0 by Real at the beginning of September, had briefly replaced Barcelona, now two points behind Real, at the top following a 1-0 triumph over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday which was their 13th league victory in their last 14 outings.

Schuster singled out central defensive pair Fabio Cannavaro and Sergio Ramos for praise as they prevented a Getafe equaliser.

"The defence was sensational. Fabio Cannavaro and Sergio Ramos saved us as they have done so often in the past," said Schuster.

"The fact is we are winning games. Of course we want to play better but when you are playing every three days the important thing is to win."

Valencia also have the winning habit and recorded their fifth victory on the spin with a 1-0 win over Recreativo Huelva on Sunday.

David Villa scored after just five minutes to put Valencia in front and they held the lead until the finish to move one point behind leaders Real.

Valencia's next test is against Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday and Villa admitted revenge for last season's painful quarter-final defeat, when Chelsea scored a late winner, was on their minds.

"We want to do well against Chelsea because of what happened last season," said Villa.

"We are playing well and continue to win matches - hopefully nothing changes against Chelsea."

Dutch international winger Arjen Robben made his first league start in Real colours as Schuster changed his system to a 4-3-2-1 with Robinho operating on the other flank.

With Wednesday's Champions League match against Lazio in mind Ruud van Nistelrooy was rested.

Raul almost opened the scoring after 13 minutes but was denied by the post.

At times, Real looked worryingly open and that will give Lazio hope.

However Real seem capable of winning without playing well and on 65 minutes Spanish international Sergio Ramos accepted a Robben pass to score the winner.

Villarreal went top of the table for the first time in their history in midweek and continued their purple patch with Argentine defender Fabricio Fuentes scoring a rare goal just after the hour mark to sink Bilbao.

"The important thing is to forge a winning a habit," said Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini.

"We have started the league well and I hope we can take that into the UEFA Cup too."

Villarreal have now taken 39 points from a possible 42 with the 5-0 defeat by Real the only blot on their record.

Elsewhere Atletico Madrid notched their third straight win with a 2-0 victory against Osasuna.







Spanish league standings after Sunday's matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):







Real Madrid

6

5

1

0

14

3

16





Villarreal

6

5

0

1

9

5

15





Valencia

6

5

0

1

9

7

15





Barcelona

6

4

2

0

13

4

14





Atletico Madrid

6

3

2

1

11

4

11





Espanyol

6

3

1

2

8

7

10





Real Mallorca

6

2

2

2

9

8

8





Murcia

6

2

2

2

7

6

8





Real Zaragoza

6

2

2

2

8

9

8





Recreativo Huelva

6

2

2

2

7

8

8





Racing Santander

6

2

2

2

3

7

8





Almeria

6

2

1

3

7

7

7





Sevilla

5

2

0

3

11

9

6





Osasuna

5

1

2

2

5

5

5





Real Betis

6

1

2

3

7

8

5





Athletic Bilbao

6

1

2

3

4

8

5





Valladolid

6

1

2

3

8

13

5





Deportivo La Coruna

6

1

2

3

3

8

5





Getafe

6

0

2

4

3

9

2





Levante

6

0

1

5

3

14

1