Jon Mcleod
Andrew MacdougallReal Madrid Win the La Liga with style
Real Madrid celebrated their 31st league title triumph in style by crushing arch-rivals Barcelona 4-1 at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
First-half goals from Raul and Arjen Robben,Gonzalo Higuain and a penalty from dutch man Ruud van Nistelrooy earned Bernd Schuster's side an emphatic win that delighted the home fans.
Defeat for Barcelona, combined with Villarreal's 2-0 victory left the Catalans seven points behind Manuel Pellegrini's side who will now finish second in the standings, their best finish in the league.
With two matches left to play, champions Real lead the table on 81 points, 10 ahead of Villarreal and 17 clear of Barca .
It came as little surprise when Real took the lead after 13 minutes, Raul curling a shot around goalkeeper Victor Valdes after Guti's pass had ricocheted off Barca defender Rafael Marquez.
Thierry Henry scored a late goal for Barca but it was little consolation for a side who were outclassed and finished the game with 10 men when midfielder Xavi was sent off in stoppage time.
Barca, without the suspended Samuel Eto'o and Deco and the injured Gabriel Milito and Andres Iniesta, appeared powerless to respond.
First-half goals from Raul and Arjen Robben,Gonzalo Higuain and a penalty from dutch man Ruud van Nistelrooy earned Bernd Schuster's side an emphatic win that delighted the home fans.
Defeat for Barcelona, combined with Villarreal's 2-0 victory left the Catalans seven points behind Manuel Pellegrini's side who will now finish second in the standings, their best finish in the league.
With two matches left to play, champions Real lead the table on 81 points, 10 ahead of Villarreal and 17 clear of Barca .
It came as little surprise when Real took the lead after 13 minutes, Raul curling a shot around goalkeeper Victor Valdes after Guti's pass had ricocheted off Barca defender Rafael Marquez.
Thierry Henry scored a late goal for Barca but it was little consolation for a side who were outclassed and finished the game with 10 men when midfielder Xavi was sent off in stoppage time.
Barca, without the suspended Samuel Eto'o and Deco and the injured Gabriel Milito and Andres Iniesta, appeared powerless to respond.
