Beckham trademark eases Real pressure

Last updated at 08:31 22 September 2004

David Beckham and Real Madrid's underfire 'galacticos' are breathing a sigh of relief after another trademark free-kick by the England captain secured a 1-0 win over Osasuna.

In the first match since the resignation of boss Jose Antonio Camacho - the club great who stepped down because of difficulties he was enduring as coach of the star-studded team - Beckham scored from 30 yards in the second half.

"It was important for us to win," Beckham said. "We were under a lot of pressure.

"We can play better but we can take heart from the togetherness of the team. It wasn't brilliant, but the thing was to win and it gets the fans on our side."

Having lost to Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League opener and Espanyol in Spain, Madrid were feeling the heat by fans.

They took all three points but the overall performance was disappointing from the Spanish giants.

Full-back Roberto Carlos was probably the happiest of Madrid's players to get all three points because he was barracked by spectators in the Bernabeu throughout the game.

"I am very surprised by the criticism of Robert Carlos, I don't know why he was singled out, maybe it was because the press had said senior players forced Camacho out," Beckham said.

The Englishman, who scored with a free-kick earlier this season, admitted the goal was just what he needed.

His performances for Madrid, and for his country, have been less than impressive in recent times.

"Scoring goals like that that are important and help your confidence," he said. "Maybe the referees are getting the walls to stand further back."

"Not ideal" for Owen

Another Englishman at Madrid, former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, is being used primarily as a substitute and has yet to open his account at the club.

He only had 10 minutes in which to shine after being brought on late against the team from Pamplona.

"Its hard to start when it's already 1-0," Owen said. "You want to impress and to score goals when what you really have to do is run the ball into the corners.

"It's not ideal but you have to try your best."