Raul scored his 200th league goal to move Real Madrid eight points clear in the Primera Liga after a 2-1 comeback win over Espanyol on Saturday.
Visiting Espanyol went ahead in the first half through Valdo, taking advantage of a Real side suffering a hangover from their midweek Champions League exit at AS Roma's hands.
Gonzalo Higuain levelled before the break and Raul converted a penalty in the second half to earn Bernd Schuster's side a morale-boosting three points. Second-placed Barcelona host Villarreal, in third spot, on Sunday. Later on Saturday, Real Zaragoza's fourth coach of the season Manolo Villanova leads his team for the first time at home to Atletico Madrid.
A scrappy game turned Espanyol's way in the 29th minute when former Real player Valdo was left free to head home at the far post.
A nervous-looking Real were missing Fabio Cannavaro and Sergio Ramos in defence and Ruud van Nistelrooy up front and did not test keeper Carlos Kameni until the 37th minute.
The Cameroon international tipped Julio Baptista's free kick over the bar but was beaten six minutes later when Higuain got on the end of Marcelo's cross.
Daniel Jarque then tugged Raul's shirt in the 73rd minute and the Real captain scored from the penalty spot.
