Real Madrid welcomed Espanyol to the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon knowing that a win would move them four points clear at the top of La Liga, still with a game in hand.
The home side led by one goal at the interval after a header from Alvaro Morata in the 33rd minute.
Gareth Bale then grabbed a second for Real Madrid late on after the Welshman made his return from an ankle injury, helping Los Blancos further stretch their lead at the summit.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Espanyol. Victory for the home side would move them four points clear of second-place Barcelona with a game in hand, and they will fancy their chances against an Espanyol team that have a rotten record against Los Blancos, especially in this stadium. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates from Madrid!
Espanyol are actually winless in their last 18 La Liga matches with Real Madrid – losing 15 of those fixtures. What's more, Real Madrid have won 17 of the last 20 league matches between the two teams in this stadium and are unbeaten against the Catalan side in Madrid since 1996. Earlier this season, Real Madrid recorded a 2-0 victory in the reverse match in Barcelona.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Espanyol have had a free week to prepare for this match, but Real Madrid were in Champions League last-16 action on Wednesday night – recording a 3-1 win over Napoli in the first leg. Team news...
TEAMS!
REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Nacho; Kovacic, Isco, Kroos; Vasquez, Morata, Ronaldo
ESP: David Lopez; D.Reyes, David Lopez, O.Duarte, Aaron; Fuego, Diop; J.Reyes, Jurado, Piatti; Moreno
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has rung the changes from their 3-1 win over Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with Kiko Casilla, Pepe, Nacho, Mateo Kovacic, Isco, Lucas Vasquez and Alvaro Morata all coming into the selection. Gareth Bale, meanwhile, is on the bench as he prepares to make his first appearance since returning from an ankle problem. Big changes for the hosts!
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As for Espanyol, Felipe Caicedo and Hernan Perez have both dropped to the bench, which has opened up spots in the team for Pablo Piatti and Pape Diop. Gerard Moreno will once again lead the line for the Catalan outfit, while Javi Fuego, Jose Jurado and Jose Antonio Reyes all keep their spots.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about Espanyol a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid, who will enter this match full of confidence. Indeed, Zidane's side top La Liga, one point ahead of second-place Barcelona, while they also have two games in hand over the champions.
Real Madrid's long unbeaten run came to an end when they lost at Sevilla in the league in January, but Los Blancos have won their last three in Spain's top flight – beating Malaga 2-1, Real Sociedad 3-0 and Osasuna 3-1 in their last three matches. They are only one point clear of champions Barcelona as things stand, but as mentioned, still have two games in hand at this stage.
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Only Villarreal (15) have conceded fewer league goals than Real Madrid (18) this season, while 15 wins, four draws and just the one defeat is a very impressive record for the Madrid giants. They also face pressure from Sevilla to win the league title this season, but they are the big favourites as things stand and will fancy their chances of moving four points clear with a win here.
As mentioned, Real Madrid were in Champions League last-16 action on Tuesday night, and a 3-1 win over Napoli in the first leg means that Zidane's side have a two-goal lead to take to Naples early next month. They are attempting to become the first team to retain the Champions League title, but were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Celta Vigo in the quarter-finals last month.
In terms of what is ahead for Real Madrid, they will play one of their games in hand away to Valencia next Wednesday, before travelling to Villarreal for a very tough fixture on February 26. Then comes a home game with Las Palmas and a trip to Eibar before they visit Napoli in the Champions League on March 7. In truth, they should have more than enough to make the last eight.
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As for Espanyol, Quique Flores's team will enter this match having won three of their last four in the league, with that run of form leaving them in ninth position. They have actually only lost six of their 22 league matches this season, but eight draws have stopped them from really pushing the top six.
In fact, only Barcelona (11) and Atletico Madrid (14) have earned more La Liga points than Espanyol (10) in 2017. The Catalan side have also scored at least once in their last eight league matches, while their away record is quite impressive – winning four and losing just three of their 10 fixtures. Flores's team might well prove to be a tough nut for Real Madrid to crack this afternoon.
There is now a five-point gap between fifth-place Real Sociedad and sixth-place Villarreal, but just four points separate Villarreal from Espanyol in ninth position. It does appear that Atletico and Sociedad will challenge for the fourth Champions League position this season, but the battle for a Europa League finish could go right to the wire. Will Espanyol be involved in that battle?
30 - Gareth Bale has had a hand in 30 goals in his last 27 La Liga games for Real Madrid (22 goals and eight assists). Return. pic.twitter.com/Taueukk7WV — OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 17, 2017
Espanyol were 1-0 winners at Malaga in their last away league match earlier this month, but they did suffer a 2-1 defeat at home to Sociedad last weekend. They also lost 2-1 at struggling Valencia earlier this year and as mentioned, have a rotten record against Real Madrid. It must be said that the statistics do not exactly favour an Espanyol victory in this fixture, but surprises happen!
PREDICTION! Home win for me. I am expecting Espanyol to provide tough opposition for the Madrid giants this afternoon, but I am finding it difficult to back anything other than a home success. Ronaldo was excellent against Napoli without scoring, but I fancy him to net here in a 3-1 win.
Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period at the Bernabeu. Zidane has perhaps taken a slight risk by making so many changes this afternoon, but he has replaced quality with quality. Can Espanyol upset the league leaders here? Only time will tell.
KICKOFF! Espanyol kick things off in Madrid...
... it has been a confident start from the away side as they enjoy plenty of the ball in the middle of the park, with Diop, Fuego and Jurado combining as they look to force a pass into striker Moreno.
Just a few signs that Real Madrid are settling as they pass and probe in Espanyol's half of the field, but the visitors are looking to counter when they have the chance. Meanwhile, full-backs Reyes and Aaron have not needed a second invitation to get forward in the early stages of this contest.
Kroos has the chance to deliver a searching free kick into the Espanyol box, but Duarte rises to head clear and the visitors can clear their lines. Not much to report in the early moments here.
Real Madrid have looked to quicken the pace in the last few minutes as they force the ball into wide areas, where Ronaldo and Vasquez are waiting, but Espanyol continue to shuffle across and clear their lines. Espanyol are finding it more and more difficult to see possession of the ball in Madrid.
Half-chance for the visitors as Duarte rises inside the Real Madrid box, but his header is over.
Quite a scrappy game at the moment, with both teams struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third of the field. Espanyol have got through the opening 10 minutes unscathed here.
Plenty of the ball for Real Madrid, but no chances in the opening 13 minutes here.
CHANCE! There's a chance! Super opportunity for the home side as Pepe meets a corner from Kroos, but the centre-back's header is wide of the post. Should have done better!
Smart work from Morata as the Real Madrid striker turns inside the Espanyol box and looks to pick out a cross into Ronaldo, but David Lopez is on hand to make a fine challenge and the resulting corner is cleared. Down the other end, Moreno is caught just and I mean just offside.
Espanyol continue to close the door outside of their own box as Real Madrid look to pick that pass in the final third. It has been an entertaining opening 17 minutes, but just the one opportunity and that was headed wide by Pepe. Espanyol can be pleased with their performance so far here.
Sustained period of pressure from the home side in the last few minutes, but Espanyol are so compact in a defensive area and another attack ends in frustration for the home side.
Another 'nearly' moment for Real Madrid as Isco dances into the Espanyol box before delivering towards Morata, but the ball bounces behind, before the visitors clear their lines once again. It is the away supporters making most of the noise with 21 minutes on the clock in the capital.
Diego Lopez, despite his advancing years, is still one of the finest goalkeepers in the league and the stopper has shown all his experience with a series of excellent catches at the Bernabeu.
Varane looks to have been held inside the Espanyol box when a corner was delivered by Kroos, but the referee was not interested and play resumes in the Spanish capital. Still goalless here.
Sickening clash of heads between Diop and Kovacic leaves the latter on the deck. You cannot be too careful with head injuries these days and the home side might well be forced into a change.
Scrap that. Kovacic is back on his feet, although he does not seem overly contest.
Kovacic looks like he has been 25 rounds with Mike Tyson, but it does appear that he will return to the field. It is a really nasty bruised eye for the Croatian, who took a blow from Diop.
Super feet from Ronaldo as the Portuguese works some space down the left before driving into the Espanyol box, but the Portuguese's low cross is cleared by the impressive David Lopez.
BOOKING! Moreno (Espanyol) is booked for a poor challenge on Kovacic.
Morata heads a Kroos cross over the crossbar, but the offside flag had been raised. Espanyol kept their defensive line once again and it means more frustration for the home side here.
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side as Vasquez releases Ronaldo and the number seven drives into the Espanyol box before looking for the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide!
GOAL DISALLOWED! Ronaldo then converts a low cross from Kroos, but the flag is raised!
Visual confirmation of that eye injury for Kovacic. Ouch!
Kovacic se hizo un tajo en el pómulo. pic.twitter.com/D8883hzrNi
— Muralla Blanca™ (@MurallaBlanca) February 18, 2017
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Espanyol (Morata)
Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 33rd minute of this contest as Morata, in for Benzema this afternoon, heads a wonderful Isco cross into the bottom corner. Super finish from the striker!
Espanyol have impressed with their defending this afternoon, but they need to be really careful at this stage of the match as Real Madrid look to press home their advantage with a second goal. The home side are absolutely full of it as they move across the pitch and commit numbers forward.
As it stands, Real Madrid are moving four points clear of second-place Barcelona at the top of La Liga, still with a game in hand. Espanyol just cannot get out of their own half at the moment and Morata has just fired wide from close range after a smart cross from Nacho down the left.
Espanyol need to find a way of getting Reyes and Piatti in this football match as attacking options. Both are doing a job going the other way, but neither have been involved in the Real Madrid half.
BOOKING! Kovacic (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Piatti.
Little bit better from Espanyol in the last couple of minutes as they enjoy some possession in Real Madrid's half of the field, but still no shots on target from the visitors to the Bernabeu.
Quite a scrappy game at the moment as both teams battle for possession.
Morata goes down inside the Espanyol box and wants a penalty, but the referee is not interested. It looked a bit clumsy from David Lopez, but the referee simply pointed for a goal kick.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 courtesy of a brilliant header from Morata in the 33rd minute of action. Espanyol have given a good account of themselves, but the visitors have not managed a shot on target thus far in Madrid.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 66%, but they found the back of the net with their only shot on target. Espanyol, meanwhile, as mentioned, have not yet managed a shot on target, which is an indication of what occurred in the first 45 minutes. Neither goalkeeper has had much to do. Two yellow cards to report - Moreno (28 min) and Kovacic (41 min).
BENCH WATCH! Zidane has already confirmed that Gareth Bale will get some minutes this afternoon after being named on the bench. Meanwhile, the likes of Asensio, James and Mariano Diaz will be hoping to feature for the home side. Espanyol boss Flores also has forward-thinking options on his bench, with Caicedo, Perez and Vasquez capable of making a difference this afternoon.
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action in Madrid...
... no sign of Bale at the start of the second period, but the Welshman went through a warm-up at the interval and I suspect that we will see the attacker in the next 15 or 20 minutes here.
... ESPANYOL SUB! Perez has replaced Jose Antonio Reyes for the visitors.
Bale is out to warm-up once again and he receives a warm reception from the home supporters. Not too much to report in the early moments of this second period. All quite calm here.
BOOKING! Isco (Real Madrid) is booked for pulling down Piatti.
Half-chance for the home side as Morata races clear of the Espanyol defence before releasing Ronaldo, who delivers a low cross towards Vasquez, but David Lopez is on hand to make a fine challenge. Just a few signs that Real Madrid are starting to go through the gears here.
Bale continues his warm-up and the Welshman keeps having a sly look towards the bench as he waits for Zidane to make the signal. One thing is for certain, Bale is getting some minutes here.
BOOKING! Fuego (Espanyol) is booked for fouling Ronaldo just outside the box...
... Ronaldo fires his set piece straight into the Espanyol wall.
Espanyol are hardly seeing anything of the ball at the moment, but at 1-0, they will always be in the game. A second goal for Real Madrid, however, makings things much more complicated.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid are very much on the front foot as they continue to threaten a second goal. Another corner from Kroos is delivered into the Espanyol box, but David Lopez is on hand to make the clearance and the visitors break.
Espanyol have showed some signs of life in the last few minutes as they threaten on the counter-attack, but the visitors are still to have a shot on target, which is not good enough at this stage.
REAL MADRID SUB! Casemiro replaces Kovacic for the home side.
Still Real Madrid press for a second goal; still Espanyol stand strong. It is a game of cat and mouse at the moment and Espanyol are very much still in this football match with 63 minutes on the clock.
Just a reminder that as it stands, Real Madrid are moving four points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga, still with a game in hand. If all goes well for Los Blancos, they will open a seven-point lead.
Couple of half-chances for the home side, but Morata has one blocked at the far post, before Casemiro fires into the stands from distance. Little over 20 minutes remaining in the capital.
BOOKING! Diop (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Casemiro.
CHANCE! Morata picks out Ronaldo with a super cross from the left, but the centre-forward's header is over the crossbar. Should have been the home side's second goal.
Bale is off the bench and will soon enter the field here.
REAL MADRID SUB! Bale is on for Morata.
Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining and still just the one goal separates these two teams. You just get the feeling that there is going to be some late drama in this match.
Absolutely nothing from Espanyol at the moment as Real Madrid continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. There is no question that a second for the home side would kill this match.
Vasquez looks to pick out Isco with a cross from the right, but Diego Lopez is on hand to claim once again. Espanyol look to break, but the away side take about five seconds to lose the ball.
Vasquez connects on a deep pass from Kroos, but his effort is into the side netting. Real Madrid have been wasteful in forward positions this afternoon, but they are closing on three points.
BOOKING! Aaron (Espanyol) is booked for a foul on Lucas.
REAL MADRID SUB! Marcelo replaces Nacho for the home side.
ESPANYOL SUB! Vasquez replaces Jurado for Espanyol.
BOOKING! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Perez.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol (Bale)
It just had to be! Real Madrid have their second of the afternoon as Bale races clear of the Espanyol defence before finding the far corner with a wonderful finish. It had to be him didn't it!
It is very bad news for Real Madrid's rivals that Bale is now back and firing!
Espanyol have defended pretty well for long periods of this match, but they just have not offered enough in the final third and they are heading for another defeat at the Bernabeu.
We are into the first of two added minutes at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid want a penalty after Ronaldo goes down inside the box, but the offside flag is up!
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid collecting all three points courtesy of a 2-0 win. The league leaders are now four points clear of second-place Barcelona, still with a game in hand. Thanks for joining our coverage once again. Until next time!
