Real Madrid travelled to Espanyol on Sunday knowing that victory would move them to within three points of top spot in La Liga.
Los Blancos had the better chances in the first period, but could not make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
Madrid led just before the hour mark when Pepe headed home from close range, with that goal separating the two teams at the end of 90 minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from Barcelona as Espanyol welcome Real Madrid. The home side have taken just seven points from their last six matches, with that run of form dropping them into 11th spot in the table. They also enter the match off the back of a 1-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Alcorcon during the week.
Madrid, meanwhile, enter the match knowing that victory would move them just three points from the top of the table after Barcelona’s 1-1 draw in the Vicente Calderon against Atletico Madrid on Saturday evening. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been strong on the road this season with six wins from their nine away La Liga games.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Madrid have won three of the last five matches, with the further two ending in draws. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 1-1 draw, while Espanyol also secured a point when they travelled to Madrid in the reverse fixture.
TEAMS:
ESPANYOL: Casilla; Colotto, Fuentes, Moreno, Raul; Sanchez, Lopez, Alex; Stuani, Cordoba, Torje
REAL MADRID: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric; Di Maria, Bale, Ronaldo; Benzema
So there we have it. No Sergio Garcia for the home side this evening, but Jhon Cordoba does start. There are also spots for Torje and Victor Sanchez in the Espanyol XI. Madrid, meanwhile, recall Angel di Maria in place of Jese Rodriguez. Dani Carvajal also starts at right-back with Alvaro Arbeloa on the bench. Right, the away side get the action underway on this mild early evening in Barcelona.
It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. For one, Barcelona supporters will be cheering for their city rivals. As expected, Madrid have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of moments with Modric and Alonso enjoying touches of the ball.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening four minutes with both sides attempting to settle into the match. The home side have a half-chance when Torje finds himself unmarked inside the Madrid box, but his final cross is poor.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Stuani meets a low cross from Sanchez with his head, but his effort just drops wide of the post. Those are the sort of opportunities that you simply have to take against the top opposition.
Good possession from the home side in the last couple of moments with the likes of Torje and Sanchez both involved outside the box. Cordoba causes problems with his pace, but Ramos is across to clear the danger. Not too much from the away side in the opening seven minutes of action.
CHANCE! Madrid's first real chance falls to Benzema as the Frenchman meets a deep cross from Di Maria, but he hooks his effort wide of the post. Another devastating counter from the away side. It remains goalless with nine minutes on the clock in Barcelona.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Espanyol enjoying possession in the Madrid half. The home side continue to press high up the field, meanwhile, with Pepe and Ramos guilty of some slack passing. Torje drives down the right moments later, but his cross is deflected behind by Marcelo.
Modric is the first name to enter the referee's book this evening as the Croatian pulls Victor Sanchez to the ground outside the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Torje, but Alonso is on hand to clear for a corner. You just get the feeling that Espanyol need to score during this positive spell of pressure.
Half-chance for Espanyol as Stuani meets a corner from Torje, but his header is wide of the post. The free-kick count continues to rise, meanwhile, with Marcelo bringing Torje to the ground. We have seen little from the likes of Ronaldo and Bale in the opening 16 minutes. However, I suspect that will not be the case come the end of the evening.
Espanyol want a free kick on the edge of the box as Cordoba clashes with Pepe, but the referee is not interested. That is an interesting battle developing. Madrid have possession down the other end with Ronaldo moments later, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. End-to-end football, but the score remains goalless after 19 minutes in Barcelona.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Madrid to take the lead as Benzema rolls a low cross into Ronaldo, but the Portuguese slices his effort at the vital moment. Any touch would have taken that into the back of the net. He is human after all!
CHANCE! It's brilliant work from Cordoba as the Espanyol forward drives into the Madrid box before brushing off the challenge of Pepe, but he can only fire his effort wide of the crossbar. Opportunities at both ends as the first period gathers pace. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
Ronaldo attempts the spectacular inside the penalty area as he lifts his foot to meet a cross from Di Maria, but ends up catching Sanchez in the face. The referee takes no action, however, which is a sensible decision. Cordoba breaks down the other end moments later, but this time Ramos is across to clear. Little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for Di Maria as the Argentine strikes one from outside the box, but Casilla is on hand to make the save. Not too much else to report in the last couple of moments, but Madrid are enjoying more of the ball. The home side can be pleased with their opening 28 minutes against Los Blancos that is for certain.
Madrid have found it difficult against Espanyol over the last 12 months with best games last season ending in draws. They have not really worried the home side in the opening 30 minutes this evening aside from that Ronaldo chance. Madrid have started to enjoy more of the possession, however, with Espanyol forced to defend their own penalty area.
Madrid continue to pass and probe outside the Espanyol box with Di Maria dropping into midfield to gain possession of the ball, but the final pass has not been there for the away side thus far. Carvajal delivers a cross into the box following a period of possession, but Casilla is on hand to collect under pressure from Benzema.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Ronaldo to open the scoring as he combines with Di Maria on the edge of the box, but Casilla manages to push it over the crossbar. The resulting corner finds Di Maria outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Cordoba remains a threat for the home side as he drives past two defenders before attempting to roll a low cross into the box, but he just loses control at the vital moment. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes as the half-time interval draws nearer. Neither has done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage.
Opportunity for Madrid to threaten from a free kick as Ronaldo stands over the ball outside the box. The resulting set piece is indeed struck by the Portuguese, but Casilla saves with his feet. Ronaldo has a second strike moments later, but it hits Colotto. Good pressure from the away side with 39 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments, with Espanyol's threat mainly coming from the pace of Cordoba. Madrid are enjoying possession in the final third, but that elusive pass has not been found thus far. The home supporters will be pleased with what they have seen from their side in the opening 42 minutes.
Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Levante against Malaga - be sure to remain with us for that one. Espanyol force a free kick outside the Madrid box moments later when Ramos fells Cordoba, but Ramos is on hand to clear.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance on the counter for Madrid as Modric leads a four-on-two before finding Di Maria, but there are no takers on his low cross into the box. Benzema has a header moments later, but it moves wide of the post. The away side should be ahead here.
HALF TIME: Espanyol 0-0 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Espanyol holding Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw. The better chances have fallen to Los Blancos, but the home side have also had their moments during an entertaining first half of La Liga football.
STATISTICS: Madrid have dominated the possession with 68%, while they have had 11 attempts - four of which have been on target - to Espanyol's four. There has been just the one yellow card, meanwhile, with Modric booked for pulling Sanchez to the ground in the early stages.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Pizzi, Lanzarote, Simao and Abraham. Meanwhile, Madrid have the likes of Jese Rodriguez, Alvaro Morata and Isco on an all-Spanish bench.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Levante against Malaga - be sure to remain with us for that. Right, the home side get the second 45 minutes underway on this mild evening in Barcelona.
Neither side has made any changes at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect alterations will be on the cards if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. You have to think that chances will fall for Madrid as the half gathers pace. Can Espanyol record a much-needed three points? Be sure to remain with us for the entirety of the second half.
Opportunity for Madrid to threaten from a free kick as Alonso stands over a set piece on the left. The Spaniard delivers into the box, but Cordoba is on hand to clear the danger. It is important that the home side ride out this spell of pressure from Madrid which Carlo Ancelotti would have demanded from the restart. Still goalless in this La Liga clash.
It is almost like a pre-season fixture at the moment with Madrid enjoying possession of the ball but without really threatening to open the scoring. Carvajal delivers a deep ball into the Espanyol box, but Moreno is on hand to clear the danger. Modric searches out Benzema moments later, but the Frenchman cannot collect.
It's good work from Cordoba as the Espanyol forward collects a long ball before finding Rodriguez outside the box, but his effort is wide of the post. The home side are not creating too much in the final third, but neither are Madrid as another cross from Marcelo drops into the arms of Casilla. It isn't a classic at the moment that is for certain.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid (Pepe)
Madrid finally make the breakthrough as Pepe rises inside the Espanyol box before thumping his header into the bottom corner from an Alonso free kick.
You cannot say that it had been coming, but the away side have been the more inventive in the final third. It is difficult to see where a goal is coming from for Espanyol with Cordoba isolated in the final third. Little over 30 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining in Barcelona.
Just a reminder that three points for Madrid would move them to within three points of leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid after 19 matches. That would certainly make things interesting ahead of the second part of the season. It is one-way traffic at the moment as the away side continue to dominate possession of the ball.
We are getting to the stage in the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. Espanyol boss Javier Aguirre is in the stands this evening due to a touchline ban, but he will be in communication with his bench. At 1-0, they are still very much in this game. Bale demonstrates his pace down the other end before sliding a low cross into the box, but Alex is on hand to clear.
Half-chance for Ronaldo as he cuts inside two defenders before curling one towards the bottom corner, but Casilla is on hand to collect. Double change for the home side moments later as Simao and Lanzarote replace Torje and Alex. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals in this one.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Ronaldo to score Madrid's second as he collects a wonderful pass from Alonso before advancing into the Espanyol box, but he can only drag his effort wide of the post. That might have put the game beyond Espanyol with 20 minutes remaining.
CHANCE! Another terrific chance for Madrid as Ramos meets a wonderful cross from Carvajal, but Rodriguez is on hand to make a fine block at the vital moment. Not too much to report from the home side, however, as they continue to struggle to keep hold of the ball.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Madrid in control of the possession. Still no movement on the away side's bench, but Jese would be the obvious replacement if Carlo Ancelotti wanted to make a change. Espanyol are struggling to fashion anything of note at the moment.
Madrid continue to pass and probe outside the box, but Espanyol are making it difficult for Los Blancos to find that final pass. The onus is on the home side at the moment, but they do not look capable of worrying Madrid. Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining in this La Liga clash in Barcelona.
Opportunity for Espanyol to threaten from a free kick as Abraham is felled outside the box by Carvajal. The resulting set piece is taken by Lanzarote, but his cross is cleared by Ramos. The home side have been poor in the final third this evening there is no question about that.
Madrid look to their bench for the first time this evening as Jese replaces Bale, who has not really influenced proceedings this evening. The away side continue to dominate the possession, but chances have been at a premium since Los Blancos took the lead. Little over 10 minutes remaining.
Just a reminder that, as it stands, Madrid would move to within three points of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid after the pair drew in the Spanish capital on Saturday evening. Madrid continue to boss the possession in the final third, but the final ball has too often been lacking as another attack breaks down with Benzema.
Espanyol call for Modric to be handed his second yellow of the match as he challenges Sanchez in the middle of the park, but the referee is not interested. In truth, it would have been harsh. Not too much in terms of attacking football as the match enters its latter stages. Is there to be late drama in Barcelona?
CHANCE! Oh my word what a save. Just stunning from Casilla as the Espanyol stopper manages to push a stinging Ronaldo effort over the crossbar. The Portuguese simply cannot believe that he has missed.
Espanyol make their third and final change as Pizzi replaces Stuani for the final stages. Controversial booking for Cordoba, meanwhile, as he receives a card following a challenge with Ramos - both players had their foot raised. Madrid break down the other end with Benzema moments later, but the Frenchman is pulled to the ground by Moreno.
Opportunity for Madrid to threaten from a free kick as Modric stands over the dead-ball. The Croatian finds the head of Ronaldo, but his header is high and wide of the crossbar. It has not been his night thus far. Little over one minute of normal time remaining. Can Espanyol force a late equaliser?
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Madrid to score a second as Ronaldo meets a loose save from Casilla, but somehow he fires wide of the post. Moments before, Benzema had brought a fine stop from the Espanyol stopper. The away side make a change as Illarramendi replaces Benzema.
Madrid make their third and final change as Arbeloa replaces Carvajal. Madrid are almost there. In truth, Espanyol have not looked capable of turning this one around.
FULL TIME: Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. Pepe's second-half header is enough to secure all the points for Madrid, who move three points from the top of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Levante against Malaga. Until then!
