Real Madrid win derby and only Sevilla, Betis can keep up the pace in top-four

Madrid, Dec 13 : Real Madrid took another step towards this season's La Liga title with a 2-0 win at home to Atletico Madrid in the city derby here. A first-half goal from Karim Benzema and an excellent strike from Marco Asensio gave Carlo Ancelotti's men a win against a rival, who were their equals for long parts of the game, but suffered from the loss of several first-choice defenders at key moments.

Thibaut Courtois was on hand to frustrate the chances that his former club did create, producing fine saves on Sunday night to deny Antonie Griezmann in the first half and Joao Tomas and Thomas Lemar after the break.

Benzema passed a fitness test to start the game and put Real ahead with an excellent volleyed goal following Vinicius Jr's pass in the 16th minute and Vinicius again turned provider to set up Asensio, who swept home his low cross 12 minutes into the second half, Xinhua reports.

Sevilla rode their luck to confirm they remai