Espanyol: Kameni; Javi López, Jordi
Amat, Galán, Chica (Rui Fonte 80'); Raúl Baena, Javi
Márquez; Luis García (Dátolo 57'), Verdú,
Callejón; Sergio García (Alvaro Vázquez 66'). 4-2-3-1.
Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo; Xabi
Alonso, Khedira; Di María (Adán 03'), Özil (Lass 77'),
Cristiano Ronaldo; Adebayor (Sergio Ramos 87'). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 23. Marcelo. Picked up Ronaldo pass and beat
Kameni from wide angle.
Yellow cards: Xabi Alonso 19', Chica 49', Jordi Amat 51', Carvalho 51' / Casillas 02'.
Real Madrid moved to within five points of leaders Barcelona after a 0-1 victory at Espanyol on Sunday night. Mourinho's side were up against from the second minute when Casillas was sent off for bringing down Callejón outside of the area. Di María was the man sacrificed to bring on Adán, who was quickly in action to punch out a dangerous Luis García free kick. However the ten men went ahead midway through the first half when Marcelo picked up Cristiano Ronaldo's pass and ran through to beat Kameni from a wide angle, and Adebayor and Ronaldo could both have increased the lead before the half time whistle. An active Callejón fired a shot wide after the restart but otherwise Adán had little to do, and Kameni had to be at his best to save twice from Adebayor later on. A brave win for Madrid to keep them in the title hunt, but a third defeat in a row for the locals, who still however remain in sixth spot.