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Espanyol logo
La Liga
Jan 12, 2014 at 6pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Pepe (55')

Real Madrid edge past Espanyol

Pepe scores the only goal of the game as Real Madrid beat Espanyol 1-0 to move within three points of the top of the La Liga table.

Real Madrid have moved to within three points of the top two in La Liga courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory over Espanyol this evening.

The first chance of the match fell to the hosts after just five minutes when Christian Stuani latched onto a low cross from Victor Sanchez, but his header dropped just wide of the post.

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo vies with Espanyol's goalkeeper K. Casilla during the Spanish league football match on January 12, 2014© Getty Images

Madrid had a good opening of their own shortly afterwards as Angel di Maria picked out Karim Benzema, who could only hook his shot just wide of the mark.

Benzema was involved in another chance for the visitors shortly afterwards when he rolled the ball into the path of Cristiano Ronaldo, but the striker sliced his shot wide when he should have scored.

Madrid launched a quick counter right on the stroke of half time as they looked to take a lead into the break, but Di Maria's inviting cross was not met by a teammate despite a four-on-two situation.

The deadlock was finally broken 10 minutes after the restart when Xabi Alonso's free kick was met by Pepe, who powered his header into the bottom corner to give Madrid the lead.

Pepe of Real Madrid CF scores the opening goal during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF at Cornella-El Prat Stadium on January 12, 2014© Getty Images

It could have been 2-0 in the 67th minute. Alonso found Ronaldo this time, but the in-form striker dragged his effort wide of the post.

Ronaldo again missed a good opportunity with just six minutes remaining as Kiko Casilla produced a fine save to push his stinging drive over the top, while he also put a rebound wide late on having reacted quickest to a spill by the Espanyol keeper.

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Luka Modric of Real Madrid CF duels for the ball with Alex of RCD Espanyol during the La Liga match on January 12, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913


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