Real Madrid grab comfortable victory to lead La Liga
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Xinhua, January 8, 2012
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Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo backheels the ball next to Granada's Ikechukwu Uche during their Spanish First Division soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid January 7, 2012. (Xinhua/Reuters photo) |
Real Madrid opened up a six point lead over FC Barcelona at the top of the La Primera Liga on Saturday thanks to a 5-1 home win over Granada.
Granada travelled to Madrid with the reputation as being tough to beat and in the first half at least they showed they lived up to the billing, before once again the form of Karim Benzema proved to be their undoing.
Real Madrid, perhaps spurred on by coach Jose Mourinho's criticism of their first half display against Malaga five days earlier, began the match like an express train, hoping to take advantage of any big stage nerves from their visitors, who had brought 5,000 travelling fans for their first visit to the Bernabeu in 35 years.
However, Granada held firm and it took a moment of magic to see Madrid open the score.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil linked well and Ozil left the ball perfectly for Benzema to open the scoring after 19 minutes. The goal means Benzema is now the top scoring Frenchman to play for Real Madrid.
The goal looked as if it could open the floodgates, but Granada reacted well and were level in just three minutes after Mikel Rico headed home a cross from the right wing.
Ikechuwku Uche went close for Granada, who were enjoying their return to the Bernabeu, but Ramos brought them back to earth when he headed Madrid's second from a corner 12 minutes before the break.
Real Madrid threatened a third before halftime, but again Granada showed they are a well worked side. However, any hopes the visitors had of getting back into the game were shattered after just five minutes of the second half.
That was all it needed for Gonzalo Higuain to make it 3-1 to Madrid following a pass from Marcelo and three minutes later Benzema made it 4-1 with his second of the night after a solo finish.
Unfortunately he was injured in scoring the goal and needed to be replaced by Javier Callejon
Cristiano Ronaldo added a fifth in the final minute of the game.
Barcelona play Espanyol on Sunday night.
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