Espanyol Vs Real Madrid: Madrid Hold On For Victory

How Real Madrid deserved those three points! Having more than matched their opponents, Espanyol, for the first 45 minutes, they then produced a solid defensive display after the break to reduce Espanyol to half chances, with young keeper Adán rarely troubled. Marcelo got what proved to be the winner, racing into the box to recieve Cristianos slide rule pass before firing in a cracker over the otherwise inspired Carlos Kameni and into the roof of the net.

Once again, Jose Mourinho has proved that when it comes to tactics there are few better managers in the game. As soon as Iker Casillas was harshly sent off in only the third minute after brining down Callejon, Madrid reverted to a system that saw them form a 4-5-0 when Espanyol were in possession, before switching to a 4-2-3 when on the attack. Cristiano and Adebayor were inspired in the first half, while Pepe and Carvalho were the heros in the second half, marshalling Callejon and Sergio Garcia with consumate ease.

In fact as the clock got closer and closer to the 90 minute mark, it was Real Madrid who had the chances to kill the match off as a contest, but Emmanuel Adebayor contrived to shoot both of his efforts into Carlos Kameni who saved his side on numerous occasions.

So Real Madrid, with ten men, take full advantage of Barcelonas draw last night against Sporting Gijon to reduce the gap at the top to 5 points. Perhaps La Liga race is still alive after all!