Sometimes referees miss penalties, says Ramos after Madrid derby draw

The Spaniard escaped reprimand in the Madrid derby when he appeared to foul Diego Costa in the box and claims that such decisions are part of the game

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has taunted Atletico Madrid by hinting that the referee missed chances to award them penalties in the 2-2 derby clash on Sunday.

Ramos appeared to bring down Rojiblancos striker Diego Costa 10 minutes into the game but referee Carlos Delgado did not award a spot kick to the home side and the 27-year-old shrugged off the incident.

Atletico were denied two more penalty claims after the hour mark, with both Pepe and Alvaro Arbeloa escaping punishment following incidents with Costa, and Ramos argued that penalty denials are part of the game.

"There are many penalties which referees don't see," he told Gol Television after the game. "Sometimes they are right and many other times they are wrong. That is football".

A Karim Benzema goal three minutes into the game gave Carlo Ancelotti's side the lead at the Vicente Calderon, but Koke levelled matters just before the half-hour mark from inside the box.

Atletico captain Gabi then struck just before half-time to give his side the lead heading into the second half, before Cristiano Ronaldo's 82nd-minute equaliser ensured a point for the Blancos.

Ramos suggested that Benzema's early goal contributed to a loss of urgency from Real, which eventually saw them concede twice before half-time.

"We probably relaxed after the first goal," added the Spain international. "The team came out with more intensity and aggressiveness in the second half. The game is 90 minutes long and there are many phases."

Despite failing to pick up maximum points, the result ensures that Real remain at the summit of La Liga, three points ahead of Atletico.