Real return to the winning ways

AFP, MADRID: Real Madrid got their La Liga title challenge back on course despite an underwhelming performance as goals from Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo handed them a 2-0 win at Eibar on Sunday.
In front of a capacity 6,000 crowd at Ipurua, Madrid did little to dispel the doubts caused by their 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona last weekend but Bale’s first-half header and a late penalty from Ronaldo were enough for all three points.
Madrid remain in third, but victory takes Rafael Benitez’s men back to within six points of league leaders Barca and two points of city rivals Atletico Madrid.
“The important thing was to get the three points and do so with this spirit of sacrifice,” said Madrid boss Rafael Benitez.
Eibar have enjoyed a stellar start to just their second season in the top flight, but as against Barcelona and Atletico in their only other two prior defeats this season, they didn’t have enough quality to trouble Madrid in the final third.
Elsewhere, Valencia coach Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed a 1-0 defeat at Sevilla would be his last in charge of the club.
Sevilla dominated from the off and were handed a huge boost when Joao Cancelo was sent off for a second bookable offence 10 minutes before half-time.

Real return to the winning ways

AFP, MADRID: Real Madrid got their La Liga title challenge back on course despite an underwhelming performance as goals from Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo handed them a 2-0 win at Eibar on Sunday. In front of a capacity 6,000 crowd at Ipurua, Madrid did little to dispel the doubts caused by their 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona last weekend but Bales first-half header and a late penalty from Ronaldo were enough for all three points. Madrid remain in third, but victory takes Rafael Benitezs men back to within six points of league leaders Barca and two points of city rivals Atletico Madrid. The important thing was to get the three points and do so with this spirit of sacrifice, said Madrid boss Rafael Benitez. Eibar have enjoyed a stellar start to just their second season in the top flight, but as against Barcelona and Atletico in their only other two prior defeats this season, they didnt have enough quality to trouble Madrid in the final third. Elsewhere, Valencia coach Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed a 1-0 defeat at Sevilla would be his last in charge of the club. Sevilla dominated from the off and were handed a huge boost when Joao Cancelo was sent off for a second bookable offence 10 minutes before half-time.