Gareth Bale and James Rodridguez both scored to help Real Madrid arrest a
worrying dip in form as they dispatched Espanyol 3-0 on Saturday.
Karim Benzema struck the post on 10 minutes but the home side didn't have to
wait long for an opener, as James converted Cristiano Ronaldo's pass.
The Ballon d'Or nominee then watched on as Bale doubled Real's lead with a fine
free-kick in the 28th minute.
But when Coentrao received a red card following a nasty collision with Jose Canas
shortly after half-time, Madrid were forced into an enforced reshuffle.
Thankfully for Carlo Ancelotti's men, Espanyol struggled to make the most of their
advantage and substitute Nacho Fernandez, added a third to move the leaders four
points clear of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who meet on Sunday.
Espanyol started the contest brightly and created two chances inside the first three
minutes, Felipe Caicedo scuffing wide after a clever run and Sergio Garcia firing
straight at Iker Casillas from 20 yards.
Madrid soon clicked into gear, though, and Benzema went extremely close in the
10th minute, striking the post with a fierce half-volley.
The goal frame failed to save Espanyol a few moments later as the home side took
a deserved lead through James, who steered home after receiving Ronaldo's well-
placed cut-back.
The Champions League winners continued to dominate after taking the lead and,
although Raphael Varane headed a presentable chance wide in the 16th minute, a
second goal soon arrived.
Bale stepped up ahead of usual free-kick taker Ronaldo just before the half-hour
mark and sent an unstoppable effort in off the right-hand post from 30 yards,
leaving goalkeeper Kiko Casilla helpless.
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