Real Madrid welcomed struggling Las Palmas to the Bernabeu on Saturday knowing that victory would stretch their lead at the top of the La Liga table to three points from Barcelona.
The home side led 2-0 after 14 minutes courtesy of goals from Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo, but a 38th-minute header from Hernan gave Las Palmas hope of a comeback.
Real Madrid did lead by two goals at the break, however, courtesy of an excellent finish from Jese Rodriguez.
Both teams had chances in the second 45 minutes, but there were no more goals as Real triumphed 3-1 in Madrid.
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 Real Madrid welcome Las Palmas. The hosts are still top of the table after Atletico Madrid dropped points last night and they will be looking to move three points clear of second-place Barcelona this afternoon with a victory against an out-of-form Las Palmas outfit, who are without a win in their last four in the league.
To suggest that Las Palmas have not enjoyed their last two trips to the Bernabeu would be an understatement, with the yellows losing 5-1 and 7-0 in their last two league games at Real Madrid's famous stadium. That said, the Canary Islanders did beat Real Madrid 4-2 on their own patch during the 2001/02 season, but that did not stop them from being relegated. Let's hope for a good game!
We are still waiting on the confirmed teams from the Bernabeu, with Rafael Benitez seemingly having a nice cup of tea before he reveals his team selection. Las Palmas are also quiet on that front...
In truth, it would be a major surprise if Real Madrid did not pick up all the points at the Bernabeu, but shocks can, and do, happen. As mentioned, Los Blancos will enter this match top of the table on 21 points, currently level with second-place Barcelona and one ahead of third-place Atletico Madrid.
As for Las Palmas, they will enter this match inside the relegation zone having only taken six points from their nine league games this term. Just one victory has arrived, with three draws and a further five defeats. It has been a tough return to Spain's top flight for the Yellows, but under new manager Quique Setien, they managed to pick up a good home point against in-form Villarreal last weekend.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news...
TEAMS:
REAL: Casilla; Danilo, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Isco, Ronaldo, Jese
LAS PALMAS: Varas; Simon, Aythami, Bigas, Garrido; Hernan, Mesa, Vicente; El Zhar, Willian, Viera
So there we have it. It is very much an injury-hit Real Madrid XI here, with the likes of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez all still on the sidelines. Kiko Casilla also replaces the injured Keylor Navas between the sticks, while Nacho comes into the centre of the defence alongside Raphael Varane. Isco is preferred in the front three to Lucas Vasquez.
As for Las Palmas, experienced centre-back Antolin Alcaraz is still injured, meaning that Pedro Bigas starts alongside the skipper Aythami Artiles in central defence. Former Castilla forward Willian Jose is given the chance to lead the line for the visitors, while former Valencia attacker Jonathan Viera is included in what is an attacking XI. Vicente Gomez and Roque Mesa are also included in the team.
Real Madrid have still not been beaten in La Liga this season, with six wins and three draws from nine games seeing them collect 21 points. They are also currently the top scorers in the league (21) and have conceded the fewest goals (3). It has been a solid rather than spectacular opening under Rafael Benitez, who replaced Italian Carlo Ancelotti at the helm before the start of the campaign.
Los Blancos opened their league season with an underwhelming 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijon, but then beat Real Betis, Espanyol and Granada without conceding to move onto 10 points. A strong 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao continued their unbeaten start to the season, but they were then held to a goalless draw at the Bernabeu by Malaga, before drawing 1-1 at Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
Since then, they have beaten Levante 3-0 and also recorded a 3-1 win over Celta Vigo last time out. The capital side had their goalkeeper Keylor Navas to thank for a series of excellent saves in Vigo last weekend, but it was still an impressive performance against a team that also entered the match unbeaten for the season. Real Madrid are ticking along very nicely at this stage of the campaign.
Benitez's team have also made a strong start to their Champions League campaign – winning two of their three group matches and drawing the other at Paris Saint-Germain. The capital side have been without a number of key players for large parts of the season thus far, but have still managed to produce a series of strong results. They will seemingly battle PSG for the right to finish top of Group A.
Real Madrid might be 32-time winners of La Liga, but they have only lifted the Spanish title once since 2008. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have both been victorious in recent seasons and those two are once again expected to challenge for the crown. The margins are very thin in La Liga and Real Madrid simply cannot afford to drop points in these type of games, with all respect to Las Palmas.
Speaking of Las Palmas, they will almost see this game as a free pass. Last season's Segunda Division playoff winners would not have ear-marked this game as important in terms of their chances of remaining in the division and the pressure should therefore be off in Madrid. That said, a difficult start to the campaign, as mentioned, has left them inside the relegation zone in 18th position.
A 4-0 defeat to Getafe on October 18 led to the sacking of Paco Herrera and Quique Setien has been appointed until the end of the season. The Spaniard took charge of a team that had lost their last three in Spain's top flight, but he managed to secure a point against a strong Villarreal side in his first game at the helm. This afternoon, however, is a very different test for the Yellows.
Las Palmas opened their La Liga campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid, before drawing back-to-back games against Levante and Celta Vigo. They then lost 1-0 at home to Rayo Vallecano, but managed their first win of the season against Sevilla in their next game. Since then, they have lost to Barcelona, Eibar and Getafe, and as mentioned, drawn with Villarreal last time out.
It is worth remembering that this is Las Palmas' first season back in La Liga since the 2001/02 campaign, when they were relegated after finishing 18th. Their highest-ever finish in Spain's top flight came in the 1968/69 season, when they came second. From 2006 to 2011, they actually came close to being relegated to Segunda B on a number of occasions, but managed to stay in the second tier and ultimately return to La Liga. Right, just about time for my pre-match prediction in Madrid...
... PREDICTION! Home win. Real Madrid might be without a number of key players this afternoon, but I am really struggling to see anything other than a comfortable three points for the capital side. Las Palmas might be tough to break down for long spells, but my score prediction is 3-0 Real Madrid.
Just a reminder that Barcelona are also currently in the Spanish capital preparing for their match against Getafe later this evening - be sure to also join me for that one from 7pm UK time. Right, both sets of players have just joined us on the field and the home supporters are in good voice here!
KICKOFF! It is a really tough ask for Las Palmas this afternoon, but they can play without fear. Whether they do that is another story, however. Right, it is the hosts that get the first period underway...
... you do get the feeling that Las Palmas will need to get through the opening 10, 15 minutes here without conceding if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result. Las Palmas are available at 22/1 here, which is an indication of their task. It should, should be comfortable for Real!
Las Palmas went with a back five in the early part of the season, but under new manager Setien, it is a back four at the Bernabeu. As expected, Real Madrid have been in control of the possession thus far, with Jese and Isco both seeing plenty of the ball. The hosts might have to be patient this afternoon.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Las Palmas (Isco)
Well that did not take long! Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the fourth minute as Jese takes advantage of a loose pass before finding Casemiro, who in turn finds Isco and the Spaniard opens his body before finding the bottom corner. Super finish, but poor defending from the visitors there.
After watching the opening seven minutes here, I am fearful for Las Palmas. They might well be on the end of a hiding this afternoon as Real Madrid continue to drive forward with pace and purpose.
Las Palmas have not really been able to get the likes of El Zhar and Viera in the game thus far, while Willian Jose has been isolated through the middle. The home team again break forward with Marcelo, who dances past three challenges, but the left-back just cannot poke a pass into Ronaldo.
Danilo is almost playing as a right-winger for Real Madrid at the moment as he continues to drive forward and deliver, but Aythami and Bigas take it in turns to clear the danger. Las Palmas are doing their best to break with pace and power, but Willian Jose has been very isolated thus far here.
Las Palmas have managed to settle in the last couple of minutes with a period of possession and El Zhar threatens with a darting run into the Real Madrid box, but Nacho is across to clear the danger. The visitors have not been afraid to commit numbers forward in the opening 14 minutes of this game.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Las Palmas (Ronaldo)
And just like that it is 2-0. Real Madrid double their lead in the 14th minute as Ronaldo angles a header into the bottom corner after meeting a super Marcelo cross. That could be game over!
Las Palmas lost 7-0 the last time that they travelled to the Bernabeu and they could be on the end of another hiding this afternoon. It is all Real Madrid as they go in search of a third goal in Madrid.
El Zhar is doing his best to make things happen in a wide area for Las Palmas, but the attacker has simply had no support from his teammates. Viera and Willian Jose have hardly had a kick in the opening 19 minutes and Real Madrid seriously look in the mood as Jese just over-hits another cross.
CHANCE! Finally a chance for Las Palmas as Viera does brilliantly to work a yard of space inside the box, but his low curling effort is saved by Casilla, before the danger is scrambled clear. Better!
El Zhar heads into the arms of Casilla as Las Palmas break forward once again.
This man opened the scoring in Madrid...
Not too much to report in terms of clear Real Madrid chances in the last couple of minutes, but they are passing and probing in the final third. Las Palmas are having to work so hard at the Bernabeu.
Kroos and Modric exchange passes before the former drills a cross towards Isco, but Bigas is on hand to clear and Las Palmas regain possession of the ball. Still 2-0 to the hosts in Madrid.
Gareth Bale is not fit enough to play this afternoon, but he is in attendance...
SAVE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score a third as Marcelo slides a super pass into Jese, who goes one-on-one with Varas, but the Las Palmas stopper comes out on top!
Real Madrid want a penalty as Danilo goes down inside the Las Palmas box, but the referee is not interested and actually gives Las Palmas a free kick for handball after the Brazilian tumbled. It does seem only a matter of time before Los Blancos score a third as they continue to boss this match.
Much better from Las Palmas as Mesa slides a pass into El Zhar, who dances into the Real Madrid box, but there are no takers on his low cross into the area. El Zhar has been the away team's best player in the opening 32 minutes, that is for sure. Willian Jose, however, has not been in the game.
BOOKING! Hernan (Las Palmas) is booked for a late challenge on Marcelo.
Jese, who has been full of beans in this game, gets down the right before delivering towards the far post, but Varas is on hand to claim. Las Palmas are still committing numbers each time that they break forward, but Nacho and Varane have been pretty comfortable at the back thus far in Madrid.
SAVE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid to score a third as Jese races away down the right before picking out Isco inside the box, but his low effort is saved by Varas!
Las Palmas are just about surviving at the moment as Real Madrid continue to find space in the final third. That said, the visitors are committing numbers each time they break forward and El Zhar is causing problems in a wide area. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Las Palmas (Hernan)
Wow! Las Palmas are back in this match as Hernan rises unmarked inside the Real Madrid box to head a corner past Casilla. Not sure about the defending there, but the visitors will not mind!
Las Palmas might have been second best for long spells of this match, but they have kept pressing forward and deserve to have breached Casilla's goal. It is now very delicately poised in the capital!
Just a reminder that a Real Madrid win this afternoon would take them three points clear of second-place Barcelona at the top of the table. However, Las Palmas are doing their best to upset the home side here. Ronaldo attempts to beat the offside trap after a searching Isco pass, but the flag is up.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Las Palmas (Jese)
Real Madrid have a two-goal lead once again as Jese, who has been excellent here, cuts inside his full-back before firing one into the far corner. It is an excellent goal from the Spaniard!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 3-1 Las Palmas
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 3-1. The home side raced into a two-goal lead inside 14 minutes courtesy of efforts from Isco and Ronaldo, before Hernan registered for the visitors in the 38th minute. Los Blancos scored a third through Jese late in the half, however, to ensure that they led by two goals after the first half of action in Madrid.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have shaded the possession with 56%, while they have had eight attempts - six of which were on target. Las Palmas, meanwhile, have hit the target with all four of their attempts thus far. There has been just the one yellow, with Las Palmas goal-scorer Hernan in the book.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid are currently without a number of their first-team regulars through injury, but Rafael Benitez still has attacking options on his bench in the shape of Cheryshev, Kovacic and Mayoral. As for Las Palmas, head coach Setien has the likes of Araujo and Culio in reserve.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the field for the second 45 minutes at the Bernabeu. Can Las Palmas recover? It is the visitors that resume the action in Madrid...
... REAL MADRID SUB! Lucas Vasquez has replaced Modric at the break.
No changes from Las Palmas ahead of the second period, but it would not be a surprise if head coach Setien already had some alterations in mind. The visitors had their moments in the first half and indeed managed to register through Hernan. They have started this half with attacking goals, meanwhile, as El Zhar fires over the crossbar from outside the box. End-to-end football in Madrid!
Javi Varas gets down well to deny a powerful strike from Casemiro.
It has been an open start to the second period, with both teams committing numbers each time they break forward. Willian Jose has the chance to test Casilla from distance following another breakaway, but the Brazilian's effort was always rising over the crossbar. Still 3-1 Real Madrid here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid to score a fourth as Isco sets up Ronaldo inside the Las Palmas box, but his effort from a wide angle just squeezes wide of the far post!
Real Madrid again break down the right, this time with Vasquez, and a dangerous ball is delivered into the Las Palmas box, but Bigas manages to turn wide of the post. End-to-end football here.
Casemiro rises highest inside the Las Palmas box to meet a corner from Kroos, but his header is wide of the post. If Real Madrid score a fourth then it would certainly be all over in this one.
BOOKING! Vicente (Las Palmas) is booked for dissent.
Las Palmas have the chance to threaten from a free kick following a rash challenge from Nacho...
... SAVE! Casilla flies across his goal to keep out a super effort from Willian Jose.
Little over 30 minutes of this contest remaining and Real Madrid still lead 3-1, but Las Palmas are giving it a really good go as they continue to break forward with pace and purpose. El Zhar has been full of beans down the right and the former Liverpool midfielder is giving Marcelo some problems.
Just a reminder that Barcelona are in action later this evening away to Getafe. Be sure to also join me for that one from 7pm UK time, with kickoff at 7.30pm. As it stands, Real Madrid are moving three points clear of the Catalan outfit at the summit, but there is still plenty of football to play in this one.
CHANCE! Super chance for Real Madrid to score a fourth as Jese pokes a low cross into Ronaldo, but the Portuguese's effort, on the stretch, just drifts wide of the post. Very close!
LAS PALMAS SUB! The visitors introduce Tana for Hernan.
Real Madrid are searching for that fourth goal, but Las Palmas have been solid at the back in the second period and are also still forcing the issue down the other end. End-to-end football here.
Las Palmas are more than likely going to lose this match, but they will cause a lot of teams problems this season if they can produce performances of this level. The visitors force another corner, which is delivered by Viera, but Real Madrid manage to clear their lines. Still 3-1 to the hosts in Madrid.
LAS PALMAS SUB! El Zhar is replaced by Nauzet for the visitors.
You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match and Las Palmas would set up a grandstand finish if they managed to find the back of the net. Still more than 20 minutes to play.
Las Palmas continue to move the ball from right to left in the final third of the field, with Willian Jose's movement occupying the Real Madrid defenders. There is a stoppage, however, when Varane goes down holding his head. The Frenchman should be able to continue despite the knock!
Varane is indeed back on the field and it remains 3-1 Real Madrid with little over 15 minutes to play. In truth, the home team have not done too much in this second period, but they are still ahead.
Isco delivers a dangerous cross into the Las Palmas box, but Bigas makes first contact ahead of Ronaldo and the danger is cleared, with the visitors again committing plenty of numbers forward.
Both managers are preparing to make changes at the Bernabeu...
REAL MADRID SUB! Jese, who has been excellent, is replaced by Llorente.
LAS PALMAS SUB! Willian Jose is replaced by Araujo.
Ronaldo is bundled down inside the Las Palmas box, but the referee is not interested. It looked a spot kick to me! Little under 10 minutes of normal time remaining in this La Liga contest.
Half-chance for Real Madrid to score a fourth as Isco finds a yard of space outside the box before bending one towards the top corner, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar.
Las Palmas have not seen too much of the ball in the last five minutes or so and it is Real Madrid looking for the game's fifth goal. Surely the home side are going to record all three points here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Las Palmas to score a second as Tana meets a low cross from Viera, but his effort just squeezes wide of the post. Las Palmas have kept going in this game!
REAL MADRID SUB! Mayoral replaces Kroos for the hosts.
Not too much to report in the last couple of minutes as Real Madrid close on all three points at the Bernabeu. In truth, not too much has happened in the second period in the Spanish capital.
Three added minutes to be played.
SAVES! Two wonderful saves from Varas in the Las Palmas goal as the stopper keeps out Ronaldo and then Mayoral, who looked to convert the rebound. Brilliant goalkeeping!
The stadium is emptying as Real Madrid keep possession with the full-time whistle approaching. More frustration for Ronaldo as the 30-year-old is caught offside. He should have had more here!
BOOKING! Aythami (Las Palmas) is booked for a late challenge on Vasquez.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-1 Las Palmas
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid claiming all the points with a 3-1 victory. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
