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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)

Real Madrid cruise to win over Espanyol

Ten-man Real Madrid cruise to a 3-0 win over Espanyol to extend their lead at the top of the La Liga table to four points.

Real Madrid have wrapped up a comfortable 3-0 win over Espanyol to extend their lead at the top of La Liga this afternoon.

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© Getty Images

The home side looked the stronger team from the start as Cristiano Ronaldo tried to get involved early on, while Karim Benzema had a shot kept out by the post.

Real did break the deadlock inside the opening quarter of an hour when Ronaldo provided the cross for James Rodriguez to slot past Francisco Casilla.

Raphael Varane had a chance to double their advantage a few minutes later as he met a header at the near post, but his finish was a fraction wide.

Madrid continued to dominate, and added a second with just under half an hour played when Gareth Bale stepped up to thump a free kick into the back off the net.

Espanyol's hopes of a comeback were boosted early in the second half when the home side were reduced to 10 men after Fabio Coentrao clashed with Jose Canas.

Despite being a player down, Real continued to push for a third as Isco tried to set up Ronaldo on the counter-attack, but his pass forward went astray.

Bale could have put the win beyond doubt when he beat Ronaldo to the ball in the box, but the Welshman fired wide, despite having his teammate in support.

Real did find a third just a few minutes later, though when Alvaro Arbeloa curled a cross in towards Nacho, who fired the ball in low into the bottom corner.

Isco tried to make it four inside the final 10 minutes, but Casilla got his fingertips to the ball to prevent the visitors from falling further behind.

Real now sit four points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table, while Espanyol remain 10th.

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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


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