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Ramos sees red as Real edges past Rayo in Madrid derby

February 17, 2013 -- Updated 2305 GMT (0705 HKT)
Cristiano Ronaldo failed to add to his impressive goal tally during Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.
Cristiano Ronaldo failed to add to his impressive goal tally during Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Real Madrid beat Rayo Vallecano 2-0 in La Liga to stay 16 points off top spot
  • Atletico Madrid won 3-0 at Real Valladolid to maintain second position
  • Fiorentina thrashes Inter but Napoli held at home by Sampdoria
  • Manchester City and Chelsea both win in FA Cup

(CNN) -- It takes a lot to overshadow the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo -- especially given his recent form.

After his midweek all-action showing against former employer Manchester United and a goal which had experts running out of superlatives, the Real Madrid man had a much quieter night.

Instead, it was left to teammate Sergio Ramos to take the headlines as Real took on local rival Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu Sunday.

Real held in Champions League blockbuster

Leading 1-0 through young striker Morata, Ramos headed home to extend his side's advantage on 12 minutes for his first contribution of the evening.

Hundreds of fans and journalists flocked to the Paris Saint-Germain training ground Wednesday to get a glimpse of David Beckham in action on the practice field. The interest in Beckham's move to the French club has caused huge excitement with the anticipation building ahead of the midfielder's possible debut on Sunday. Hundreds of fans and journalists flocked to the Paris Saint-Germain training ground Wednesday to get a glimpse of David Beckham in action on the practice field. The interest in Beckham's move to the French club has caused huge excitement with the anticipation building ahead of the midfielder's possible debut on Sunday.
Beckham mania
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\'Box Office\' Beckham thrills French audience 'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience
Celtic had suffered just two home defeats in 23 Champions League games before welcoming Juventus to Parkhead. The Scottish champion saw off the might of Barcelona in the Group Stage with the famous Celtic atmosphere a huge factor in the team's success. Celtic had suffered just two home defeats in 23 Champions League games before welcoming Juventus to Parkhead. The Scottish champion saw off the might of Barcelona in the Group Stage with the famous Celtic atmosphere a huge factor in the team's success.
Celtic cauldron
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Champions League: It\'s back! Champions League: It's back!

His next, however, was not so clever. A foul on Roberto Trashorras earned him a yellow card and just 45 seconds later, he was shown a second for handball.

Off he trudged with 18 minutes on the clock, a goal, two yellow cards and an early bath.

While receiving two bookings within 45 seconds is unusual, Ramos' dismissal is anything but.

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The Spain international has been sent off 17 times in his career, 16 of those coming at Real with the other at former club Sevilla.

His 12th red card in La Liga left Real with work to do, but with a two goal cushion already in hand, it easily held out to claim a 2-0 victory.

Falcao: Soccer's 'Tiger' prowls for goals

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid bounced back from its Europa League disappointment with a 3-0 win at Real Valladolid.

Radamel Falcao scored his 20th league goal of the season with Diego Costa and Cristian Rodriguez also on target.

Those three points keeps Atletico 12 points behind leader Barcelona and four clear of Real going into matchday 25.

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Valencia moved up to fifth with a 2-0 win over Mallorca, while Espanyol defeated Real Betis 1-0 and Real Sociedad was held to a 1-1 draw by Levante.

Chelsea make winning Europa League start; Zenit shock Liverpool

In England, Chelsea booked its place in the fifth round of the FA Cup, the country's historic domestic knockout competition.

Rafael Benitez's side defeated third-tier Brentford 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in a replay following a 2-2 draw in the previous game.

Chelsea will now face second-tier side Middlesbrough with the winners of that game going on to play either Manchester United or Reading.

Manchester City saw off second-tier side Leeds United 4-0 to reach the quarterfinals, while Wigan also progressed after a 4-1 win at Huddersfield.

In the only Premier League game of the day, Liverpool thrashed Swansea 5-0 to move into seventh.

Juventus leaves Celtic's Champions League dream in tatters

In Italy, Fiorentina produced the performance of the day by crushing Inter 4-1.

Two goals each from Adem Ljajic and Stevan Jovetic gave the Viola all three points with Antonio Cassano registering a late consolation for the visitor.

The win moves Fiorentina up to sixth, just a point behind fifth placed Inter.

Mario Balotelli was mobbed by fans outside a restaurant as he returned home to Italy to complete his $30 million move from AC Milan to Manchester City. Mario Balotelli was mobbed by fans outside a restaurant as he returned home to Italy to complete his $30 million move from AC Milan to Manchester City.
Home again
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Being Balotelli: The life and times of Mario Being Balotelli: The life and times of Mario
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo warmed up for the Champions League clash with his former club Manchester United by scoring a hat-trick in the 4-1 victory at home to Sevilla. Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo warmed up for the Champions League clash with his former club Manchester United by scoring a hat-trick in the 4-1 victory at home to Sevilla.
Ronaldo fires United warning
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Ronaldo fires United warning Ronaldo fires United warning
Robin van Persie celebrates after scoring Manchester United's second goal in the 2-0 win at home to Everton, which put his team 12 points clear in the English Premier League. Robin van Persie celebrates after scoring Manchester United's second goal in the 2-0 win at home to Everton, which put his team 12 points clear in the English Premier League.
Van Persie pounces
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Man Utd move 12 points clear Man Utd move 12 points clear

Napoli's quest to move to within two points of league leader Juventus suffered a blow after it was held to a goalless draw by Sampdoria.

After a shock 3-0 home defeat in the Europa League by Czech side Viktoria Plzen on Thursday, Napoli had hoped to bounce back immediately.

Bayern on cruise control as Arsenal awaits

With Juventus losing to Roma on Saturday, Walter Mazzarri's side had the perfect opportunity to get back on track at the San Paolo.

But it failed to find a way through a stubborn Sampdoria defense and now sits four points off the lead.

"This is not good enough," Mazzarri told reporters.

"If we want to be up there challenging we need more. We need consistency, it makes me angry when he show up and have these unexplainable performances."

Elsewhere, Catania moved up to seventh and within sight of a Europa League place with a 1-0 home over Bologna.

Valter Birsa's 87th-minute winner handed Torino a 2-1 victory over Atalanta, while Juraj Kucka's 33rd-minute goal was enough to see Genoa creep further away from the drop zone with a 1-0 win over Udinese.

A Marco Sau double for Cagliari assured a 2-0 win away to new boys Pescara and moved the Sardinians up to 14th.

Beckham to donate PSG wages to charity

In France, Paris Saint-Germain saw its lead at the top trimmed to just three points after it suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at Sochaux.

Without David Beckham, who is expected to make his debut in next weekend's clash with Marseille, PSG took a 29th minute lead through Alex.

Sochaux hit back to lead 2-1 with 54 minutes on the clock before an own-goal brought PSG level with 14 minutes remaining.

But with the game seemingly heading for a draw, Cedric Bakambu popped up to lash home a shock winner and leave PSG shattered.

Lyon remains in second place following a crushing 4-0 win at Bordeaux, while Reims and Saint-Etienne shared a 1-1 draw.

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