Madrid rally to beat Bilbao
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-23 11:20

MADRID, Spain (AP) - Jonathan Woodgate scored an own goal and was ejected in an unhappy first start for Real Madrid although his team rallied to beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 in a Spanish league match on Thursday.

The central defender, recovered from a 17-month injury absence, deflected Bilbao forward Joseba Etxeberria's long shot with a diving header to open the scoring in the 25th minute of the fourth-round game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Woodgate received his first yellow card for a late tackle on midfielder Carlos Gurpegi just before the interval and received his marching orders in the 66th for obstructing Etxeberria.

"Woodgate did well after so many months off," Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo was quoted as saying by news agency Efe. "He was unlucky. He had an own goal and a dismissal but he started calmly and I think Real Madrid has signed a great player."

Madrid battled back in the second half through Brazilian forward Robinho's first goal for the club and two more by captain Raul Gonzalez.

Madrid's victory eased the pressure on Luxemburgo, whose team had lost two of its opening three league games and also crashed 3-0 against Lyon in the Champions League last week.

Madrid rose to fifth place with six points, while Bilbao dropped to 15th with four.

With defenders Sergio Ramos and Ivan Helguera suspended and injured respectively, Woodgate was named for his first full match since he injured his left thigh while playing for Newcastle against Chelsea in April 2004. He joined Madrid the following August.

Madrid, also lacking the injured Zinedine Zidane and suspended Julio Baptista, almost opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Robinho's low long shot bounced off goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia's left post.

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