Real Madrid welcomed Espanyol to the Bernabeu on Saturday looking to recover from back-to-back defeats in all competitions.
The home side led 2-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale.
Real were reduced to 10 men early in the second period when Fabio Coentrao was shown a red card.
It mattered little in terms of the final score, however, with Nacho scoring a third for the hosts late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as a wounded Real Madrid welcome Espanyol. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of the match, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Madrid.
TEAMS
REAL: Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Pepe, Coentrao; Kroos, James, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
ESPANYOL: Casilla; Arbilla, Colotto, Alvaro, Fuentes; Canas, Joan, Montanes, Sanchez; Garcia, Caicedo
Cristiano Ronaldo returns to the Real Madrid XI this afternoon, with the Portuguese starting in a front three alongside Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. Dani Carvajal is not in the squad, however, meaning that Alvaro Arbeloa starts at right-back, while Raphael Varane comes in for Sergio Ramos.
Espanyol, meanwhile, will seemingly line up in a 4-4-2 formation at the Bernabeu. As expected, Sergio Garcia will skipper the side from attack, while former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo is also selected. Paco Montanes and Victor Sanchez will provide the width for the visitors, while there is a start for 20-year-old midfielder Joan Jordan. It is a very attacking lineup for Espanyol.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Real Madrid have won four of the last five, with the further clash ending in a draw. Los Blancos have also won nine of their last 11 league matches with Espanyol and incredibly scored in their last 34 home games against today's opponents.
Real Madrid, however, have been wounded over the past week. They won the Club World Cup towards the end of last month, with victory in Morocco extending their winning run to 22 games. However, that ended last weekend when they were beaten 2-1 at Valencia in the league.
It got worse for Real Madrid on Wednesday when they were beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey clash. It has certainly been a disappointing week for the capital side, but they are still top of La Liga – one point clear of both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid with a game in hand. Just a reminder that Barca and Atletico meet at the Camp Nou on Sunday.
Espanyol, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 defeat at Valencia in the Copa del Rey. That was also the score in their last league match, with Eibar winning in Barcelona. That said, Espanyol have won two of their last three in the league, with that run moving them into 10th spot.
Away form has been a real problem for Espanyol this season, however, with only one team (Real Sociedad) winning fewer games on their travels. The Catalan outfit have picked up just one victory on the road, while they have only scored eight times and conceded 17. Will that poor run end here?
PREDICTION! There is no question that Real Madrid have been wounded over the last week and therefore Espanyol have a serious task on their hands this afternoon. I am finding it extremely difficult to back anything other than a comfortable home win. My prediction can be seen here...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes. Can Espanyol cause a major upset here? It is the home side that get the first period underway in Madrid.
It is brilliant work from Caicedo as the Espanyol forward drives into the Real Madrid box before attempting to beat Casillas, but his effort did not have enough power. Excellent work, though.
Espanyol's bright start continues as Garcia finds some space outside the Real Madrid box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Casillas. Very positive early signs for the away side here.
The home side have just taken control of the possession in the last couple of minutes, with Kroos and Isco seeing plenty of the ball. You just get the feeling that Espanyol will need to ride out the opening 15 minutes here. Bale has a half-chance for the home side, but his header is just too high.
Espanyol have been really bright in the opening eight minutes, with Jordan finding space in a wide area, but Arbeloa is across to make the challenge. The home side are down the other end moments later, but Coentrao's across is headed clear by Arbilla. Plenty happening at the Bernabeu.
CHANCES! Couple of golden chances for the home side. First, Bale delivers a dangerous cross towards Ronaldo, but the attacker cannot make proper contact. Isco is presented with the ball moments later, but his strike is blocked by Arbilla. Real Madrid are just starting to turn the screw here.
POST! Real Madrid's pressure continues as Benzema strikes one on the bounce, but his effort smashes against the post. Espanyol, however, remain a real threat on the counter attack in Madrid.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Espanyol (James)
Real Madrid take the lead with 12 minutes on the clock as James places one into the bottom corner following an excellent cross from Ronaldo, who had been found by Bale. Superb team goal!
Real Madrid look in the mood as they break forward once again with Coentrao, but the left-back's low cross is cleared at the near post. Espanyol just need to be a little bit careful here.
CHANCE! Real Madrid have the chance to score a second as Varane meets a corner from the right, but his header was just wide of the post. Some suspect goalkeeping from Casilla there.
Espanyol remain a threat on the counter, with Caicedo prepared to run beyond the Real Madrid defence, but the service to the forward has not been great thus far. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in terms of the final result at the Bernabeu.
Another half-chance for the home side as Ronaldo drives down the left before floating a cross towards the far post, but Benzema cannot make contact. Bale has had a couple of bright runs in the last few moments, but the Welshman has received some whistles from sections of the crowd.
Real Madrid might be in control, but Espanyol are still well in this match at 1-0 and are carrying a threat on the counter. Victor Sanchez looks to slip a pass through to Garcia, but Varane is on hand to clear. Ronaldo is down the other end moments later, but his low cross is cleared by Colotto. The resulting corner is met by Varane, but his header was always straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Espanyol force the issue down the left as Fuentes delivers a dangerous cross towards Caicedo, but Casillas is on hand to collect. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining here.
BOOKING! Fuentes (Espanyol) is booked for dissent. Real Madrid have a free kick just outside the box as Isco is felled by Montanes. Excellent chance to test Casilla here...
... GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol (Bale)
Oh my good grief! That is an absolute worldie from Bale as he thumps a free kick into the top corner off the post. Well, that is some way to answer your critics. Just sensational from the Welshman!
Espanyol force the issue down the other end as Sanchez strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was straight into the arms of Casillas, who managed to gather with Garcia waiting.
Possession football from Real Madrid in the last couple of minutes as they continue to dominate possession in the final third. Another half-chance arrives as James finds Bale, but the Welshman's header was always moving away from the post. Little over 10 minutes of the first half remaining.
There is a wonderful atmosphere inside the Bernabeu this afternoon, which has not always been the case in recent weeks. As it stands, Real Madrid are going four points clear at the top.
Good pressure from the away side in the last couple of minutes, but Varane has made a couple of excellent headed clearances. Real Madrid break down the other end with James, but the Colombian cannot slide a pass into Ronaldo. End-to-end football in the latter stages of the first period here.
A third goal for Real Madrid at this stage would surely end Espanyol's challenge. It is difficult to imagine the away side recovering from 2-0 behind let alone three at this stage of the match.
The end-to-end period of the match continues, with Espanyol leaving all sorts of space for the home side to exploit. However, Benzema cannot slide a pass into Ronaldo during another fast break. Espanyol are still carrying a threat, but they have struggled to create clear opportunities thus far.
Real Madrid are camped outside the Espanyol box with 45 mins on the clock...
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Real Madrid leading 2-0. James opened the scoring with a cool finish after 12 minutes, before Bale hit a stunning free kick for 2-0 just before the 30-minute mark. Espanyol have had some bright moments, but have it all to do.
STATS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 60%, while they have had nine attempts - three of which have been on target. Espanyol, meanwhile, have hit the target twice from five attempts. There has been just the one booking, meanwhile, with Fuentes carded for the visitors.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Javier Hernandez, Jese Rodriguez and Sami Khedira all available. Espanyol, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Alex, Alvaro Gonzalez and Christian Stuani.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Espanyol respond? It is a tough ask from this position. The away side get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of the match. However, I suspect that alterations will occur over the next 20 minutes or so here.
It has been a bright start to the second period for the away side, with Garcia delivering a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Caicedo cannot make contact. One goal for Espanyol at this stage would certainly alter the feeling inside the stadium, which has been extremely positive thus far.
Another half-chance for the away side as Garcia finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Nothing much from Real Madrid in the second half yet.
Canas and Coentrao clash in the middle of the park, which brings a furious reaction from Ronaldo. Both players seemed to be going for the ball there. No punishment should be attached for me.
RED CARD! Coentrao (Real Madrid)
Oh my word! Coentrao has been sent off for his part in that challenge! Ronaldo has also been booked for dissent. That is extremely harsh as both players challenged for the ball.
SUB! Real Madrid are forced into a change as Nacho replaces James.
Well, that has changed the outlook a little. One goal for Espanyol and suddenly it would be game on at the Bernabeu. Ronaldo just needs to settle down following his booking for dissent.
Half-chance for the home side as Isco leads a counter for Real Madrid before finding Ronaldo, but the pass was just behind the attacker and the danger is cleared. Espanyol are down the other end with Garcia moments later, but the attack comes to an end when Caicedo is challenged.
BOOKING! Victor (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Casillas.
Ronaldo tries his luck for the home side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The away supporters are in good voice as Caicedo drives down the right, but the powerful striker cannot find a teammate inside the box. It remains 2-0 here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Ronaldo to score a third for the home side, but the attacker brings a fine challenge from Fuentes after controlling a long ball inside the box.
SUB! The away side make their first change as Luque replaces Sanchez.
Half-chance for the away side as Montanes drives down the right before moving past Arbeloa, but Casillas is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Illarramendi will soon enter for the home side.
SUB! The change is made as Illarramendi replaces Benzema.
The home side have just raised the tempo in the last couple of minutes, with Nacho delivering another dangerous cross from the right, but Colotto is on hand to clear at the near post. The resulting corner is delivered towards Varane, but his header is just high of the crossbar.
SUB! Espanyol make their second change as Joan is replaced by Stuani.
Another half-chance for the home side as Nacho finds the head of Bale inside the box, but his effort just moved wide of the far post. It remains 2-0 with 71 mins played in the capital.
BOOKING! Arbilla (Espanyol) is booked for a push on Bale.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side to score a third as Bale races through on goal before rolling his effort just past the goalkeeper, but it moves wide of the post. Ronaldo was alongside the Welshman and the attacker was not best pleased with Bale's decision to put it mildly!
Not too much from the away side in the last couple of minutes, with Real Madrid in control of the possession. However, it is more frustration for Ronaldo in the final third of the field.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol (Nacho)
The home side have their third of the match as Nacho collects a deep Arbeloa cross before rattling his effort into the bottom corner. That should be game, set and match for Real Madrid.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and the home supporters are in good voice. It was vital that Real Madrid got back to winning ways here and that will indeed be the case.
CHANCE! Real Madrid come close to scoring a fourth as Isco strikes one from outside the box, but Casilla is on hand to make an excellent save. So close to a fourth here.
SUBS! Real Madrid make their third change as Khedira replaces Kroos, while Abraham replaces Garcia for the away side. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining here.
Little over five minutes of football remaining and Real Madrid are comfortable in possession of the ball. Just a reminder that they are heading four points clear at the top of the La Liga table.
Isco has been sensational in the second period and the Spaniard lights up the stadium with another pass through to Bale, but the Welshman was flagged offside. It was very, very tight.
In truth, not too much has happened in terms of chances since the home side scored their third. Just a reminder that Real Madrid will face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey tie on Thursday. Carlo Ancelotti's side need to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg.
We are into the first of two additional minutes, with Real Madrid in control of the ball.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to a close with 10-man Real Madrid recording a comfortable 3-0 win over Espanyol. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
