MADRID, Nov 5: Real Madrid barged their way back into the Spanish title race on Sunday as goals from Fernando Morientes and Luis Figo earned them a 2-0 victory in a bruising clash with Barcelona.

Real struck with their only clear chance of the first half, Morientes heading home a far-post header from Raul after 24 minutes.

The European champions then pegged the Catalans back with some committed defensive work.

As Barca chased an equaliser with ever more desperation, a swift break from Raul and Claude Makelele set up Figo to score against his former club.

Real’s win re-ignited their Spanish title defence, dragging them up from 15th at the start of play to seventh.

It also helped to strengthen Deportivo Coruna’s lead at the top. Javier Irureta’s side, who scored four times in 20 minutes on their way to a 5-1 win at home to Osasuna, lead the standings with 23 points from 11 games.

Valencia, the only unbeaten side in the first division, are two points back in second spot after a 2-1 win at home to Rayo Vallecano, with Barcelona now third on 19 points.

Real, who remain seven points behind Depor but just three shy of Barca, made a nervous start to a match they desperately needed to win.

They struggled to keep possession in front of a 75,000 full house in the early stages as Barcelona broke forward from the first whistle.

Sunday’s results:

Deportivo Coruna 5 Osasuna 1

Espanyol 1 Real Sociedad 2

Las Palmas 4 Celta Vigo 2

Malaga 1 Sevilla 3

Real Betis 0 Real Zaragoza 1

Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 0

Real Mallorca 2 Tenerife 0

Valencia 2 Rayo Vallecano 1

Valladolid 1 Villarreal 0