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Real Madrid brushed aside Sevillato claim an easy 3-0 victory at the Bernabeu on Thursday and move up to second spot in the Spanish first di...

Real Madrid brushed aside Sevillato claim an easy 3-0 victory at the Bernabeu on Thursday and move up to second spot in the Spanish first division.

Raul put Real ahead on nine minutes with a near-post header from Luis Figo’s cross and Flavio Conceicao doubled the advantage on the half-hour with a cracking first-time shot from the edge of the box.

Sevilla centre-back Javi Navarro was sent off early in the second half for stepping on Ronaldo and a Zinedine Zidane strike on 74 minutes made it four successive wins for Vicente del Bosque’s side and turned up the heat on leaders Real Sociedad. After 15 games, Real Sociedad lead the standings on 35 points, with Real Madrid now five points behind in second place.

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Valencia, who take on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Sunday, slip to third on 28 points.

Real Madrid and Sevilla were making an earlier than usual return from the winter break to play a match postponed from December, when Real were in Japan for their World Club Cup game against Olimpia.

Sevilla forward Antonito caused Fernando Hierro a few problems early on but once Real were in the lead a home victory looked assured.

Figo was the provider, as he gathered the ball near the right touchline and floated in a cross. Sevilla keeper Antonio Notario misjudged his attempt to claim the ball and Raul’s header flew in at the near post.

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Sevilla’s failure to clear another Figo cross led to the second goal, the ball falling perfectly for Flavio to lash in from the edge of the box.

Any prospect of a Sevilla fightback faded five minutes into the second half when Navarro saw red for stepping on Ronaldo.

The World Player of the Year had a disappointing night but he did have a hand in the third goal on 74 minutes.

The Brazilian’s run down the right was checked but he managed to get in a cross. Once again the ball was only half cleared and this time Zidane was on hand to provide the finishing touch. (Reuters)