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Real Madrid logo
La Liga
Jan 10, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Espanyol logo

3-0

Rodriguez (12'), Bale (28'), Nacho (76')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Player Ratings: Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Espanyol in La Liga.

Real Madrid moved four points clear at the top of La Liga with a 3-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday.

James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Nacho were all on the scoresheet for the home side, who had Fabio Coentrao sent off in the early stages of the second period.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed at the Bernabeu.


Real Madrid's defender Nacho celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs RCD Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on January 10, 2015© Getty Images

REAL MADRID

Goal

Iker Casillas: Made a couple of smart saves in the first period and was quick off his line when needed. Another confident performance from the long-serving goalkeeper. (7/10)

Defence

Alvaro Arbeloa: Had a positive afternoon. Made the switch from right-back to left-back early in the second period and set up Nacho with a good cross late on. (7/10)

Pepe: Found the lively Felipe Caicedo tough to handle in the first period, but the Portuguese warmed to his task to produce another confident performance. (6/10)

Raphael Varane: Had two or three good chances, but could not find the back of the net. Was excellent at the back and now desperately needs a long run in the team. (7/10)

Fabio Coentrao: Was heavily involved for Madrid in the first period, while he can count himself a little unfortunate to have been sent off early in the second half. (6/10)

Midfield

Toni Kroos: Not always involved in the final third, but kept things ticking over in the middle of the park. Another impressive afternoon for the German international. (7/10)

Isco: Man-of-the-match performance from the Spaniard, who radiated class each time that he had possession. Has turned into a key player for Real Madrid. (8/10)

James Rodriguez: Scored Madrid's first with an excellent finish, but he was the player sacrificed early in the second period when Coentrao was sent from the field. (7/10)

Attack

Gareth Bale: Scored a stunning free kick after 28 minutes, but was still booed by some sections of the crowd following a couple of missed opportunities. (7/10)

Karim Benzema: Struggled to have any sort of influence in the final third. Made some good runs, but it just was not the Frenchman's day. (6/10)

Cristiano Ronaldo: Set up James for Real Madrid's first, but picked up a booking on a largely frustrating afternoon. Snatched at a couple of half-chances in the second period. (6/10)

Substitutes

Nacho: Replaced James early in the second period and immediately looked a threat down the right. Rounded off the scoring with a good finish late on. (7/10)

Asier Illarramendi: Made a couple of good challenges during his 30 minutes on the field, but the Spanish international needs to do more. (6/10)

Sami Khedira: A fairly routine and uneventful 10-minute cameo from the German. (6/10)


Espanyol's forward Sergio Garcia celebrates with Espanyol's defender Alvaro Gonzalez after scoring during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 7, 2014© Getty Images

ESPANYOL

Goal

Kiko Casilla: Could not do much for any of the three goals, while he made a couple of good saves in the latter stages. Needed a lot more protection from his defence. (6/10)

Defence

Anaitz Arbilla: Picked up a second-half booking on what was a difficult afternoon. Found Madrid's pace tough to handle for long spells of the match. (6/10)

Diego Colotto: Made a couple of crucial challenges in the first period, while he was calm in possession of the ball. Had a decent afternoon on a personal level. (6/10)

Alvaro Gonzalez: Found it difficult to contain the Real attack for long spells of the first half, but helped Espanyol tighten up in the second period. (6/10)

Juan Fuentes: Proved a threat down the left in the first period, but was hardly seen in the second. Was booked for dissent in the first half. (6/10)

Midfield

Paco Montanes: Gave away the free kick which led to Real's second goal. Struggled to make his mark in the final third of the field. (5/10)

Jose Canas: Was involved in the incident that led to Coentrao's dismissal. Did not shirk any challenges, but struggled to make his mark in possession of the ball. (5/10)

Joan Jordan: Former Espanyol B midfielder had a decent afternoon on just his fourth first-team appearance. Showed some nice touches in the final third. (6/10)

Victor Sanchez: Did his best to crowd the Madrid midfield, but found it difficult against Kroos, who gave a passing masterclass from a deep position. (5/10)

Attack

Sergio Garcia: Widely regarded as Espanyol's best player, the skipper did not have much of an impact here. Needed more support from his midfield. (6/10)

Felipe Caicedo: A real live-wire, especially in the first period, but the striker struggled for service for long spells. Will be key to Espanyol's chances of a successful season. (6/10)

Substitutes

Julian Luque: Showed some good signs on his Espanyol debut, but the forward found it difficult to breach an impressive Real Madrid defence. (6/10)

Christian Stuani: Has been in good scoring form for Espanyol this season, but the striker struggled for real service in the final 20 minutes or so. (5/10)

Abraham Gonzalez: Only given the final eight minutes and therefore struggled to make his mark. (5/10)


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Real Madrid's Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez celebrates with Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Fabio Coentrao after scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs RCD Espanyo
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