Real Madrid back on track with Rayo win
Real Madrid kept Barcelona in their sights as an early goal from Karim Benzema put them on their way to a 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano - but they remain eight points behind the Catalan side, who are yet to drop a point this season.
Benzema struck after 13 minutes and Cristiano Ronaldo added a second mid-way through the second half as Jose Mourinho's side came out on top in the match suspended on Sunday due to floodlight failure caused by sabotage.
In injury time Jose Casado was dismissed for the home side after receiving his second yellow card.
The green light was finally given to play the game on Monday evening at Rayo's Estadio de Vallecas ground in what was a tough battle for Madrid against city rivals Rayo with the pressure on after Barcelona beat Granada 2-0 on Saturday, their fifth win in succession, while Madrid had only one.
Sergio Ramos returned to the side after being dropped for Madrid's Champions League victory over Manchester City last week, while Michael Essien was also given the nod over Sami Khedira to partner Xabi Alonso in front of the defence in a more offensive formation than against the Premiership side as Luka Modric returned.
Rayo coach Paco Jemez has shown an admirable commitment to attacking football and they faced the champions with two wingers in Jose Carlos and Lass Bangoura, who had full licence to go forward.
Apart from a dangerous header from Pepe, saved by keeper Ruben Martinez, Rayo took the game to Madrid, who were reduced to committing a series of fouls and Essien was yellow carded for a handball.
However, Madrid conjured up an excellent goal on the counter-attack which spanned the length of the pitch and was finished off by Benzema who knocked the ball in from close range from a Angel Di Maria cross on the left.
The danger was clear for Rayo, who kept faith with their game strategy and Madrid were able to pick them off at the back with Benzema sent clear but he was crowded out before he could get a shot off, while Di Maria and Ronaldo went close with efforts from the edge of the area.
At the other end Madrid showed their susceptibility from crosses as keeper Iker Casillas was forced into a sharp save to block a Andrija Delibasic header and Alonso blocked a follow up shot from Casado with his chest.
Madrid were not comfortable at the back and Alvaro Arbeloa gifted the ball to Lass at the start of the second half but he failed to control with just Casillas to beat.
In an open game Essien and Ronaldo shot narrowly wide as did Jose Carlos for Rayo before Ronaldo's penalty decided the game after 70 minutes. It was the Portuguese's cross that was handled by centre-half Jordi Amat and Ronaldo took the spot-kick, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Minutes later Ronaldo could have extended Madrid's advantage but he hit the post from a Gonzalo Higuain pass with the goal gaping.
In the second minute of injury time frustration got the better of Casado. who left his foot in as he challenged Mesut Ozil and was given his second yellow card.
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