Real Madrid strengthened their grip on first spot in La Liga with a 2-1 win at plucky Cordoba on Saturday.

Nabil Ghilas sent the home side into an early lead from the penalty spot, but Karim Benzema left the scores level at the interval.

Both teams had players sent off late on, with Cristiano Ronaldo seeing red for Los Blancos and Fede Cartabia handed his marching orders for the home side.

Fede's dismissal proved most crucial in terms of the final result, with the Spaniard penalised for handball inside the box, allowing Gareth Bale to step up and secure Real all the points from the penalty spot.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two Spanish rivals.

Match statistics

CORDOBA
Shots: 16
On target: 4
Possession: 35%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 15

REAL MADRID
Shots: 13
On target: 4
Possession: 65%
Corners: 9
Fouls: 13

Was the result fair?

What a question. There is only one answer - no. There is no doubt that Cordoba should have taken something from this match, but football, especially at this level, is a cruel game and ultimately Real Madrid walked away with all the points. Even in the second period, it was Cordoba who looked the most likely to win, but Florin Andone clipped their best chance against the crossbar. When Ronaldo was sent off late on, the home side had a wonderful opportunity to take at least a point.

However, this is Real Madrid and the league leaders had something up their sleeve. Fede's handball inside the area presented Bale with the chance to claim all the points and the Welshman obliged. This was after Madrid had conceded an early penalty for a Sergio Ramos handball. On the balance of play, Cordoba will feel that they deserved to win, let alone claim a point, but the visitors found a way to win the match, which is what teams of the highest calibre usually manage.

Cordoba's performance

Cordoba entered this match off the back of collecting seven points from their last three in the league and their confidence was apparent from the very first moment. Head coach Miroslav Djukic selected Andone, Ghilas, Bebe and Fede all in forward positions, which was a demonstration of his intent. It worked as well, with the home side on the front foot for long spells of the first period. They made the perfect start inside two minutes when Ghilas converted from the penalty spot after Ramos had handled a Bebe cross. Did their performance then drop? Not a bit of it.

Bebe and Ghilas both had chances to add to the scoring in the first period, but Madrid managed to respond through Benzema after 27 minutes. Still Cordoba pressed forward, however, with Real unable to cope for long spells. Andone had a stunning chance to send Cordoba ahead in the second period after outmuscling Raphael Varane, but the striker just lifted his effort against the crossbar, which turned out to be a defining moment. Ronaldo's dismissal lifted spirits even higher, but Fede's handball late on allowed Bale to score the winner from the penalty spot. It was very harsh on the hosts, but they have come a very long way in a short space of time.

Real Madrid's performance

Los Blancos might have claimed all the points, but there is little getting away from the fact that they were so very fortunate. How the victory was obtained has already been discussed, but Madrid's performance will be a worry at this stage of the season. Had Cordoba been more careful with their chances, especially in the first period, then the match might have been beyond the away side by the second half. Carlo Ancelotti's side were fortunate to be level at the break, but they never really took control in the second period. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

Not much happened in the second 45 minutes until the two red cards late on, but Bale did well to hold his nerve during a period where he has faced criticism. Ronaldo had an extremely frustrating afternoon and the attacker's struggles were summed up when he was sent off for a kick on Edimar. It was poor from the Portuguese, who was also seen to have thrown an arm inside the box minutes before seeing red. Real have not played particularly well since returning from the winter break, but it is their third straight win in the league and points are ultimately most important at this stage of the season.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Bebe: The former Manchester United attacker? That very one. It would be fair to say that the Portuguese's delivery was poor at times, but he made a very positive contribution. Bebe's attempt from outside the box brought Cordoba their early spot kick, while he gave Marcelo all sorts of problems in wide positions. The 24-year-old joined Cordoba on loan from Benfica earlier this month.

Biggest gaffe

Ronaldo was one of two players to see red and while Fede's was a touch unfortunate, Ronaldo's was poor. The Portuguese's frustration got the better of him after Cordoba goalkeeper Juan Carlos had claimed a high ball, with the Ballon d'Or winner kicking out at Edimar in an off-the-ball incident. It did not cost his team here in terms of the final result, but he is now facing a spell on the sidelines.

Referee performance

Alejandro Hernandez had an eventful afternoon in Cordoba. The referee was right to award the home side an early penalty when Ramos handled inside the box, but the yellow card for the centre-back was a touch harsh. Hernandez remained consistent in terms of handballs and bookings, however, with Fede given second yellow for giving away the late penalty, which was also a correct decision.

In total, the official issued five bookings on what was a busy afternoon. Neither manager will be able to dispute the penalty incidents, however, while the two red cards were also fairly routine decisions for Hernandez.

What next?

Cordoba: Next up for Cordoba in the league is a trip to Celta Vigo next Saturday.

Real Madrid: Los Blancos, meanwhile, welcome Real Sociedad to the Bernabeu next Saturday.