Real Madrid fans will be toasting the other Raul, Espanyol forward Raul Tamudo, if, as expected, they go on to secure the league title next weekend.

Ruud van Nistelrooy supplied more heroics on Saturday as Real came back to snatch a 2-2 draw away to Real Zaragoza, but that result would have counted for nothing had Spain’s second most famous Raul not struck twice, including a late equaliser, to deny Barcelona victory at the Camp Nou.

We will have to treat him to supper and he can eat and drink as much as he wants, said Real coach Fabio Capello after Saturday’s results left the club needing just a win at home to Real Mallorca to seal the title.

Tamudo also scored when Espanyol tore Barcelona apart 3-1 earlier in the season in January.

Real Madrid’s Raul has only scored seven goals this season and was subbed at halftime in the Zaragoza game with Real losing 1-0.

Simon Baskett, Madrid