Raul, Robinho come to Real's rescue

A quick-fire double from captain Raul and a well-taken header by Robinho allowed 10-man Real Madrid to fight back from a goal down to claim a 3-1 win at home to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night.

England defender Jonathan Woodgate, however, had a miserable debut for the home team. He headed into his own net in the first half before being sent off midway through the second.

Real's first victory in three league outings pushed them into fifth place in the Primera Liga, three points behind leaders Celta Vigo and a point ahead of rivals Barcelona.

The hosts showed little sign of improvement in the first period as they struggled to keep control of the ball and were hurried in attack.

Robinho managed a shot on goal when he drilled a strike against the post after a neat back-heel from Raul in the seventh minute.

Things went from bad to worse midway through the half. Woodgate, playing his first competitive match in 17 months, tried to clear a dangerous cross from striker Joseba Etxeberria with a header but only succeeded in diverting the ball into his own net to give Bilbao the lead.

Coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo tried to solve his team's problems by sending Guti on in place of Gravesen at half-time and Real looked a different side.

David Beckham whipped in a ball in the 53rd minute and Robinho got in front of a forest of defenders to head in. Ronaldo set up Raul for his first goal 12 minutes later.

Then Woodgate received his marching orders but Raul made certain of Real's win when he met a 69th-minute corner with an expert glancing header.