Real win in Woody horror show
Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 but Jonathan Woodgate was sent off on his debut.
Real Madrid put an end to three successive defeats but Jonathan Woodgate endured a miserable debut in a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.After 17 months on the sidelines, Jonathan Woodgate scored an own goal in the first period and was sent-off in the second half for two bookable offences.
At half time Madrid trailed 1-0 courtesy of Woodgate's diving header, that blocked Joseba Etxeberria's drive but also deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Wanderlei Luxemburgo's days at the Bernabeu appeared to be numbered but Madrid, inspired by David Beckham, came good in the second period to save their Brazilian coach.
On 52 minutes and Beckham's pin-point setpiece delivery saw Robinho scoop to score his first goal for Madrid and put Real back in a contest in which they had previously flattered to deceive.
With the home crowd buoyed by Robinho's timely intervention, impressive substitute Guti played in Ronaldo with a sublime pass, who unselfishly, played the ball across goal to allow Raul to register with the simplest finish.
Relief reverberated around the ground but just three minutes later, on 66, Woodgate's nightmare debut turned into a horror show after he saw red, somewhat harshly, for a second yellow card after a block on Etxeberria.
Credit must go to Madrid and in particular Beckham as in the 69th minute, his delivery from a corner saw Raul steal in at the near post and divert a bullet header home.
With Madrid in the ascendancy, Robinho's magic feet began to play havoc in a game that could prove to be a turning point for Luxemburgo but will not be remembered fondly by an unfortunate Woodgate.
