Beckham helps Brazilians as Real recover for victory

Goals from the Brazilians Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos gave Real Madrid a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao last night ­ their fourth successive victory ­ and moved them up to second place in La Liga, one point behind Barcelona, who drew 1-1 at Levante on Saturday. David Beckham came on at the start of the second half as Real fought back from a one-goal deficit.

Bilbao, with their new coach, Mane, at the helm, went ahead from a deflected free-kick from the defender Luis Prieto after 35 minutes, but Real recovered after the break with the winner coming after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men.

The Real coach, Fabio Capello, brought on Beckham and Ronaldo at half-time, as the home side stepped up the pressure. Real equalised in the 65th minute when Ronaldo beat the offside trap, burst through to control Sergio Ramos' long pass and finished in style .

Bilbao's task was made more difficult when their striker Aritz Aduriz was sent off for leading with the arm into a challenge with Mahamadou Diarra in the 75th minute.

Seven minutes later Roberto Carlos scored with a low shot from outside the area, but Real needed Casillas to make sure of the three points when he turned away Andoni Iraola's goalbound shot with his leg at the end.

Earlier, Espanyol had fought back from a goal down to beat Seville 2-1 at home: the Andalucians drop to third with 28 points.

The Mali striker Frédéric Kanouté put Seville ahead with a penalty after 26 minutes, but former Spain striker Raul Tamudo equalised with a brilliant individualist turn between two defenders and cool finish.

Striker Luis Garcia volleyed the winner after 80 minutes and Espanyol hung on despite a red card for midfielder Albert Riera.