Real Madrid moved three points off the top of the La Liga table with a 1-0 win over Espanyol in Barcelona on Sunday.
The only goal of the match came in the second period when Pepe headed home from close range in a match of few clear-cut chances.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two La Liga rivals.
Match statistics
Espanyol
Shots: 10
On target: 1
Possession: 32%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 19
Real Madrid
Shots: 23
On target: 8
Possession: 68%
Corners: 8
Fouls: 12
Was the result fair?
In a word, yes. Madrid were not at their best this evening - far from it - but it would have been a travesty if they had not claimed all three points against a lacklustre Espanyol team. The home side had their moments in an open first period, but they never really threatened to harm Los Blancos at any point during the 90 minutes. It might have been more comfortable in the latter stages, but Madrid were guilty of missing a number of chances.
Espanyol's performance
Without their suspended skipper Sergio Garcia, Espanyol were toothless in attack this evening and managed just one shot on target. Young Colombian Jhon Cordoba was impressive in the final third, but too often lacked the support to cause any real damage. Even when it was 0-0, they never offered the impression that they wanted to take all three points or indeed believed that they could. They went down without a fight this evening, which will not have pleased their supporters.
Real Madrid's performance
Once more, Madrid just did enough this evening without being brilliant. They have not hit top form since returning from the winter break, but are still winning games. Cristiano Ronaldo had an off-night for Madrid, who failed to impress in the final third. You always got the feeling that they would win if they scored the first goal, and that indeed proved to be the case. Overall, it was the result and not the performance that mattered most this evening.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Luka Modric: It was not really a match full of star performers, but the Croatian was a class act this evening. He was criticised during the early stages of his Madrid career, but he is now a permanent member of their first XI. Not only was the midfielder calm and composed in possession, but he was also prepared to do the dirty work in midfield.
Biggest gaffe
Ronaldo had a wonderful chance to send Madrid ahead in the first period after a low cross from Karim Benzema, but somehow the Portuguese sliced his effort into the air. It was almost too easy a chance for the attacker, who missed a number of opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.
Referee performance
Jose Teixeira had a fairly comfortable 90 minutes in Barcelona this evening. The Spanish official was not called upon on too many occasions throughout the contest, but was quick on the scene when necessary. In truth, he was hardly seen, which is always a good sign for a referee.
What next?
Espanyol: Espanyol welcome Alcorcon in the second leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey clash on Wednesday trailing 1-0 from the first leg. Their next league match is against Celta Vigo next Saturday.
Real Madrid: Madrid travel to Osasuna on Wednesday for the second leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey clash holding a two-goal lead. Their next league fixture is against Real Betis next weekend.
Matt Law
