Real Madrid 2-1 Real Betis
Sergio Ramos has scored 10 goals this season, including a point-saver against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in December
Sergio Ramos headed a late winner as Real Madrid recovered from a howler by keeper Keylor Navas to beat 10-man Real Betis to go top of La Liga.
Navas escaped a red card for fouling Darko Brasanac, then spilled Antonio Sanabria's shot into his own net.
Cristiano Ronaldo headed Madrid level from a Marcelo cross before half-time.
Betis defender Matteo Piccinini was sent off for dragging back Lucas Vazquez with 12 minutes left, before Ramos powered in a Toni Kroos corner.
Morata cannot Bale out Madrid - but Ramos can
Captain Ramos has made a habit of scoring vital goals for Zinedine Zidane's side this season - most notably a last-minute equaliser against Barcelona and a late winner against Deportivo, both in December .
The centre-back's power from set-pieces proved vital as Real did not quite click in attack without the suspended Gareth Bale, and with Karim Benzema named among the substitutes.
Alvaro Morata, given a chance from the start, was unable to make an impact and was replaced by Benzema with 20 minutes left.
Ronaldo provided his usual threat, heading a fine equaliser and seeing another goal ruled out for offside.
Real Madrid's win puts them two points ahead of Barcelona, who lost 2-1 at Deportivo earlier on Sunday
But it was Ramos who led by example, as Zidane's side took advantage of Barcelona's surprise 2-1 defeat at Deportivo earlier on Sunday to regain top spot.
Betis better
Real Betis were beaten 6-1 at home by Real Madrid in October, not long before head coach Gus Poyet was sacked.
This was a much-improved display under the guidance of Victor Sanchez, and they looked for a long time as if they would leave with at least a point.
They did not create many chances - although the lively Ruben Castro did fire a good one well over in the second half.
As the game wore on, their defence became increasingly stretched. Centre-back German Pezzella made a superb goal-saving challenge to deny Ronaldo on the edge of the area when any mistiming would have meant a red card.
In the end, the red card went to Piccinini. Already on a yellow, he was booked again for dragging back Vazquez, as the substitute tried to latch on a sublime Marcelo pass.
Navas nightmare ends in redemption
Keylor Navas' error came moments after he escaped without even a booking for bringing down Darko Brasanac
All goalkeepers dread the kind of mistakes that Madrid goalkeeper Navas made during five, crazy first-half minutes.
The Costa Rica international was incredibly fortunate not to be sent off following his first-half collision with Brasanac - having missed a through pass with an attempted header and then blocking off the Betis striker.
Sergio Ramos has scored 10 goals this season, including a point-saver against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in December
Sergio Ramos headed a late winner as Real Madrid recovered from a howler by keeper Keylor Navas to beat 10-man Real Betis to go top of La Liga.
Navas escaped a red card for fouling Darko Brasanac, then spilled Antonio Sanabria's shot into his own net.
Cristiano Ronaldo headed Madrid level from a Marcelo cross before half-time.
Betis defender Matteo Piccinini was sent off for dragging back Lucas Vazquez with 12 minutes left, before Ramos powered in a Toni Kroos corner.
Morata cannot Bale out Madrid - but Ramos can
Captain Ramos has made a habit of scoring vital goals for Zinedine Zidane's side this season - most notably a last-minute equaliser against Barcelona and a late winner against Deportivo, both in December .
The centre-back's power from set-pieces proved vital as Real did not quite click in attack without the suspended Gareth Bale, and with Karim Benzema named among the substitutes.
Alvaro Morata, given a chance from the start, was unable to make an impact and was replaced by Benzema with 20 minutes left.
Ronaldo provided his usual threat, heading a fine equaliser and seeing another goal ruled out for offside.
Real Madrid's win puts them two points ahead of Barcelona, who lost 2-1 at Deportivo earlier on Sunday
But it was Ramos who led by example, as Zidane's side took advantage of Barcelona's surprise 2-1 defeat at Deportivo earlier on Sunday to regain top spot.
Betis better
This was a much-improved display under the guidance of Victor Sanchez, and they looked for a long time as if they would leave with at least a point.
They did not create many chances - although the lively Ruben Castro did fire a good one well over in the second half.
As the game wore on, their defence became increasingly stretched. Centre-back German Pezzella made a superb goal-saving challenge to deny Ronaldo on the edge of the area when any mistiming would have meant a red card.
In the end, the red card went to Piccinini. Already on a yellow, he was booked again for dragging back Vazquez, as the substitute tried to latch on a sublime Marcelo pass.
Navas nightmare ends in redemption
Keylor Navas' error came moments after he escaped without even a booking for bringing down Darko Brasanac
All goalkeepers dread the kind of mistakes that Madrid goalkeeper Navas made during five, crazy first-half minutes.
The Costa Rica international was incredibly fortunate not to be sent off following his first-half collision with Brasanac - having missed a through pass with an attempted header and then blocking off the Betis striker.
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