MADRID, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid got themselves right back into the race for the Liga Santander title on Saturday when they won the Madrid derby 3-1 away to neighbors, Atletico.

The win lifts Real Madrid above Atletico into second place in the Liga Santander, five points behind FC Barcelona, who play away to Athletic Club Bilbao on Sunday.

Casemiro opened the scoring with an overhead kick in the 16th minute after Sergio Ramos had won the ball from a corner, despite the presence of 4 defenders around him, but left Casemiro unmarked.

Real's lead didn't last long, however, as Antoine Griezmann levelled after being put clean through on goal by a great pass from Angel Correa, although Real's players complained in vain the move had started with a foul by Correa on Vinicius Jr.

Real reestablished their lead five minutes before the break when Jose Gimenez brought down Vinicius Jr on the edge of the Atletico penalty area and referee Estrada Fernandez called as a penalty after consulting with the VAR.

Sergio Ramos slotted the ball into the corner of the net to make it 2-1.

Former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata thought he had equalized in the 54th minute, but this time Estrada after consulting with the VAR, ruled the goal out for a very tight offside call.

Gareth Bale made the game safe with 15 minutes remaining, although he could have spared the gestures he then made to the home crowd and to round off a bad day for Atletico, Thomas Partey was sent off for a bad challenge on Tony Kroos.

Real Madrid have now won their last 5 league games, while consecutive defeats to their neighbors and away to Betis last weekend, have severely dented Atletico's title hopes.