Gonzalo Higuain scored a first-half goal Saturday to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Racing Santander in the Spanish league.
The Argentina forward found the net in the 22nd minute after goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez had failed to clear a shot from Kaka.
Coach Manuel Pellegrini played Higuain alongside Karim Benzema in attack, with Raul Gonzalez starting on the bench and Cristiano Ronaldo still recovering from injury.
Madrid leads with 28 points, two more than Barcelona, which can retake the lead when it plays Athletic Bilbao later Saturday.
The first half hour saw a marked improvement on most of Madrid's performances this season. The team looked comfortable on the ball and carved out several clear chances before fading in the second half.
"We have to take into account that some important players are missing due to injury," Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano said. "We lacked brilliance and there were some boring spells, although we emerged with credit."
Higuain struck the post and Kaka drew a fine save from Rodriguez during an early spell of fluid passing. Alvaro Arbeloa also struck the post, while midfield playmaker Xabi Alonso had one of his best games for Madrid.
Benzema appealed for a penalty after Mehdi Lacen challenged him from behind in the area, but referee Ramirez Dominguez waved play on.
Despite Madrid's dominance of possession, Santander looked dangerous on the break as halftime approached. In the 38th, Mohamed Tchite managed to burst past Marcelo and Ezequiel Garay before shooting wide.
Madrid celebrated soon after the break when Benzema tapped a cross from Esteban Granero into the goal with his instep _ only for the referee to rule the France striker offside.
The intensity of Madrid's early play faded as the game wore on and Raul replaced Benzema on the hour.
Higuain nearly scored his second when Royston Drenthe set him up after a defensive mix-up, but Rodriguez saved the shot.
Santander's Sergio Canales was ruled offside after scoring in the 78th although replays appeared to show the goal was legal.
Earlier, Sevilla beat Tenerife 2-1 to notch 25 points and keep it in touch with the leaders, while Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 to Deportivo La Coruna after an injury-time penalty to stay in the relegation zone.
Sevilla's Diego Perotti tapped home in the 33rd minute from a cross by winger Jesus Navas. Renato's long-range strike straight after the break underlined the Andalusian team's attacking superiority.
However, Juan Francisco "Nino" Martinez made it 2-1 in the 76th with a first-time shot.
In Tenerife, Sergio Aguero put Atletico ahead in the fourth minute after a lapse by defender Alberto Lopo gave the Argentina striker space to shoot from an acute angle.
La Coruna defender Diego Colotto equalized in the 21st, heading in at the far post from a corner.
Jose Guardado scored from the penalty spot deep into injury time to leave Atletico with seven points and one win from its first 11 games of the season. La Coruna is fourth with 22 points.
On Sunday, it's: Xerez vs. Sporting Gijon; Villarreal vs. Valladolid; Espanyol vs. Getafe; Mallorca vs. Almeria; Malaga vs. Zaragoza and Osasuna vs. Valencia.
