Argentine international winger Angel di Maria scored a vital 77th minute winner as ten-man Real Madrid defeated Sevilla 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday to close to within two points of league leaders Barcelona ahead of the Christmas break.
The 22-year-old signing from Benfica squeezed a shot past Andres Palop at the near post to maintain Los Merengues 100 per cent home record and ensure Jose Mourinho's side begin 2011 within touching distance of Barcelona.
Real had been reduced to ten men on 63 minutes with the sending-off of Portuguese centre-back Ricardo Carvalho, but the hosts overcame their numerical disadvantage to triumph through di Maria's goal. Sevilla had sensed victory after the dismissal but fell to their fifth successive league defeat and lie down in 11th place eight points off the top four.
"It was a beautiful goal and the most important thing is it won the match," said di Maria.
"It was a difficult game and it became even more complicated with the sending-off. We did everything we could and managed to secure a great victory," he added.
It was a beautiful goal and the most important thing is it won the match. 
Real were without suspended duo Marcelo and Xabi Alonso but were boosted by the return of Sergio Ramos against the team that launched his career. In the absence of the injured Gonzalo Higuain, French forward Karim Benzema was given a chance to make an impact on the day of his 23rd birthday, while Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo had a point to prove against old club Real.
Madrid began with a string of corners but Sevilla had the first real opening with defender Julien Escude heading over from close range on 25 minutes. Three minutes later di Maria had a swerving shot punched away by Palop in Real's only notable effort on goal in a flat first half.
The Bernabeu faithful were not impressed as Sevilla looked more dangerous with Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas fumbling a free-kick but centre-half Pepe saved the day with a last ditch challenge.
The hosts failed to improve after the break and Negredo should have scored on 57 minutes after latching on to a Luis Fabiano pass but blazed over the crossbar to the relief of the home crowd.
Real were then reduced to ten men just after the hour mark when Carvalho collected a second yellow card for an unnecessary aerial challenge on Negredo.
The dismissal seemed to spur Madrid on and a mistake from goalkeeper Palop, who failed to defend his near post, allowed di Maria to fire home from an acute angle on 77 minutes. Defender Mouhamadou Dabo was sent off at 90 minutes for a reckless challenge on di Maria as Sevilla lost their cool and the match.
