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MADRID: Real Madrid beat Getafe 4-2 to take an early two point advantage over Barcelona at the top of the Spanish league, after the Catalan side dropped points earlier in a 2-2 draw away to Real Sociedad.
Two goals from Karim Benzema, a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty and a late strike by substitute Gonzalo Higuain edged out a battling Getafe for whom Miku scored twice.
Madrid were fortunate when Ronaldo put Madrid 2-1 ahead with a penalty on 60 minutes after he appeared to be tripped by Cata Diaz outside the penalty area.
However, the performance of a rejuvenated Benzema will be what Madrid fans will take from this derby match.
It was the French international who put Madrid ahead on 13 minutes and converted a superb cross field pass from Ronaldo on 69 minutes to put Getafe out of sight.
Miku had levelled at 1-1 for Getafe before half time and pulled a goal back for the team from the south of Madrid on 73 minutes before Higuain wrapped things up with three minutes remaining.
Madrid started the better team and Benzema's opener was a well placed right footed shot from the edge of the area after a move involving four other Madrid players.
Benzema has a newly found confidence this season and his clever flick on 34 minutes found Fabio Coentrao, who shot narrowly wide from a tight angle.
A minute later he was the provider again, finding Angel Di Maria with a curling cross he just failed to convert.
However, Getafe competed well and almost levelled the game on 36 minutes when Marcelo guided a Pedro Rios centre onto his own crossbar.
Two minutes later Miku slotted home a Mehdi Lacen pass from just inside the area to make it all level at half time.
As Madrid looked for the win to put daylight between them and Barca Ronaldo hit the post with a spectacular overhead kick on 49 minutes.
Then came the disputed penalty, Ronaldo's majestic pass and assured finishing from Benzema and Higuain to seal an important win for Madrid in a season that is almost certain to become a head to head battle with Barcelona.
Earlier, a promising Real Sociedad side matched the Catalans in San Sebastian to earn a 2-2 draw in an exciting game.
The home team came back from a two-goal first half deficit to share the points and provide the first challenge of the season to Barcelona's domination of La Liga.
Barca seemed to have the game wrapped up with two early goals within a minute from Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas.
However, a sterling second half performance from Sociedad saw them level with headers on 57 and 59 minutes from Imanol Agirretxe and Antoine Griezmann.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was candid afterwards about his team's performance.
“For us it's a good lesson for the future. Real's goals came when we were on top but it proves that in football you always have to be on your game.
“People who talk about a league of two teams do a disservice to other clubs who show a great determination to beat us. What we did last season is no good to us now but I still have great confidence in my team,” he said.
In the other early kick off on Saturday, Villarreal put up a brave performance after losing goalkeeper Diego Lopez to a red card in the first half, to draw 2-2 with Sevilla.
After first half penalties for both sides were converted by Giuseppi Rossi and Alvaro Negredo, Villarreal substitute Marco Ruben seemed to have won the game for the home team on 72 minutes.
It was left only for Sevilla centre half Alexis Ruano to head home a brave header and earn a point for Sevilla with 5 minutes remaining.
