Higuain strike gives Real Madrid coach Ramos´s first win

      BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - An early goal for Gonzalo Higuain was enough to give Real Madrid a 1-0 victory over Valencia on Saturday and the first win for Juande Ramos as coach.

      Real bounced back from the 2-0 defeat in the clasico against Barcelona last weekend to score after just three minutes with Higuain firing home after good work from Arjen Robben.

      In Saturday's late game, Atletico Madrid moved to second spot in the table, eight points behind leaders Barcelona, thanks to a 3-2 victory at Espanyol with the help of two goals from Maxi Rodriguez.

      For new Madrid coach Ramos, it was a welcome win. "It was very important that we won, we had three points in our hand and if we had only managed a draw in the end it would have been a big problem," said Ramos.

      "Players in these situations are uncertain whether to push for a second or look to hold on to the advantage."

      In fact Robben was the key player in the early stages of the match and a constant threat for Valencia, setting up Rafael van de Vaart who hit the post and then he himself saw a shot cleared off the line after he had rounded the keeper.

      Valencia though gradually came back into the contest and Iker Casillas made a series of stops from David Villa.

      In the second half Real, were hanging on with Casillas parrying a Ruben Baraja strike on to a post but the pressure eased mid-way through the half following the expulsion of Carlos Marchena for his second yellow card.

      Real had chances to add to their lead but Higuain and Juan Guti in particular missed excellent chances.

      Valencia coach Unai Emery refused to discuss the Marchena dismissal but hit out at the style of refereeing. "The players have complained at the treatment as the referee acted in a threatening way," he said.

      Atletico Madrid earned victory at Espanyol in Barcelona but the home side will have considered themselves unlucky.

      The visitors went ahead after seven minutes when a Paulo Assuncao shot was blocked and the rebound fell to Maxi Rodriguez who finished clinically.

      After a spell of Atletico dominance, Espanyol began to press them back but lacked a finishing edge until the 58th minute when a fine pass from Nicolas Pareja set up Sergio Sanchez to fire home.

      The pace and skill posed by Maxi and Sergio Aguero were a constant danger for the Espanyol back line and having missed a couple of excellent chances, Aguero finally found the back of the net with a scrappy goal.

      There was still time for two late goals in injury time, with an excellent Maxi dribble and shot followed by a consolation from Valdo Lopes for Espanyol.

      On Sunday, Barcelona face a Villarreal side who will be looking for the visit of the leaders to give them extra impetus as they try and bounce back from a poor run of form.

      Barca's Rafa Marquez has been ruled out with a thigh strain while Villarreal will be without the injured Javi Venta and Joseba Llorente who is suspended.

      Sevilla aim to keep on the trail of the leaders with a visit to struggling Mallorca who have fallen into the relegation zone and coach Gregorio Manzano's position is becoming increasingly insecure.

      Even victory for Osasuna this weekend would not see them move off the bottom of the table and they take on an in-form Getafe side.

      Above them Recreativo Huelva face a Deportivo La Coruna team who have European places in their sights and are riding high in this year's UEFA Cup.