Sergio Ramos has warned Real Madrid against getting carried away with their position at the top of La Liga, but says it is nice to be in control of their own destiny as they chase a first title since 2012.
Ramos' dramatic late equaliser at the Camp Nou on Saturday earned Madrid a 1-1 draw from the first Clasico of the season against Barcelona.
That ensured Madrid remained six points clear of second-placed Barca at the top of the table, and Zinedine Zidane's side are sure to finish the weekend with that advantage intact no matter what happens in the other games.
"The points difference is reward for the hard work we've been doing since the start of the season," Ramos told Madrid's official website. "We mustn't get carried away because there's still a long way to go in La Liga, but it's better to have it in our own hands than to depend on others.''
Ramos' equaliser cancelled out Luis Suarez's 53rd-minute opener for Barca and helped Madrid extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 33 matches.
The defender felt his goal was no more than Madrid deserved, adding: "The team did a great job and worked hard. The score was an unfair reflection and then a great cross from [Luka] Modric created this fantastic goal.
"The hard work has reaped rewards and it's better to get one point than nothing at all. We have to keep picking up points and maintaining the gap from Barcelona.''