Real Madrid's Raul Gonzalez (left) and Mallorca's Fernando Navarro jump for the ball during their Spanish first division football match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid yesterday. Real Madrid won 4-3. - Reuters

MADRID (Reuters)

Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of the Primera Liga with an unconvincing 4-3 home victory over Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu yesterday.

Brazilian forward Robinho was in sparkling form and twice put Real ahead in the first half, only for Fernando Varela's equalisers to keep Mallorca in the game.

Daniel Guiza put the visitors in front for the first time after the break but further goals from Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy maintained Real's 100 per cent home record.

Real went four points clear at the top on 28, after arch-rivals Barcelona slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Getafe on Saturday.

Barca, Villarreal and Valencia, who hammered promoted Real Murcia 3-0 at home on Saturday, are second, third and fourth respectively on 24 points.

Earlier, Espanyol beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at home thanks to a last-minute own goal from Aitor Ocio.

Last season's UEFA Cup finalists moved up to fifth place on 22 points, one ahead of Atletico Madrid who were held to a goalless draw at promoted Almeria.

Racing Santander climbed to seventh on 20 points with a 1-0 away win at Deportivo Coruna, ahead of Real Zaragoza on 17 who lost 2-1 at Real Betis.

Betis's Argentine striker Mariano Pavone scored two goals in the last 10 minutes to complete a dramatic comeback and ease the pressure on underfire coach Hector Cuper.