Real score seven in Valladolid rout

MADRID, Spain -- Real Madrid scored four times in a 13-minute spell as they trounced Valladolid 7-0 and went eight points clear at the top of the Primera Liga.

Real humbled by Almeria a week earlier, restored their pride with a sparkling display, which included a first goal for the club by Dutchman Arjen Robben.

Raul scored twice to take his tally for the season to 11. Guti also bagged a brace and Royston Drenthe added his first league goals.

Real's neighbors Atletico strengthened their chances of Champions League football with a 2-0 win over rivals Racing Santander which put them back into the top four.

Uruguayan international Diego Forlan scored both second-half goals as Atletico, who had picked up a solitary point from three games, returned to winning ways.

"In recent matches the ball has just not gone in but it finally did today," said Atletico coach Javier Aguirre.

"Forlan needed the goals and we all know that strikers go on runs in front of goal and we hope that this is the start not just for him but for the whole team."

Atletico's win was even more significant as rivals Espanyol lost 2-1 at home to Recreativo Huelva and dropped to fifth two points behind Atletico.

"Recreativo were deserved winners," said Espanyol boss Ernesto Valverde. "We weren't so bad but we have high expectations after some good results and we have to live up to them. Things are not going great at the moment."

Ruud van Nistelrooy's injury enabled compatriot Robben, signed from Chelsea in the summer, to make his first start since early October.

He had an immediate impact setting up Baptista for the eighth minute opener.

Brazilian winger Robinho went off injured early on and Drenthe replaced him.

Real burst into life after half an hour. Raul rounded the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 and two minutes later Robben scored his first Real goal.

Raul (38min) notched his second from the penalty spot and Guti (43) netted to make it 5-0 at half-time.

Struggling Recreativo gave new manager Manolo Zambrano the perfect start on his debut with a 2-1 win at Espanyol.

Former Liverpool man Florent Sinama Pongolle scored twice inside the first 25 minutes to stun Espanyol.

Ewerthon, on loan from Real Zaragoza, scored on his Espanyol debut after 39 minutes but Recreativo held on for their first league win since the beginning of December.

David Villa scored twice and David Silva notched another as Valencia beat Real betis 3-1. E-mail to a friend