La Liga: Real Madrid stride past Las Palmas 3-1

Cristiano Ronaldo heads the ball into goal to scores Real Madrid's second goal against Las Palmas at Santiago Bernabeu

Madrid: Real Madrid eased past La Liga newcomers Las Palmas 3-1 to move three points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table on Saturday.


Cristiano Ronaldo heads the ball into goal to scores Real Madrid's second goal against Las Palmas at Santiago Bernabeu. Pic/Getty Images

The Canary Islanders were making their first visit to the Santiago Bernabeu in 13 years, but couldn't have gotten off to a worst start as Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo put Madrid 2-0 up inside 15 minutes.

Hernan's header briefly gave the visitors hope seven minutes before half-time, yet Madrid restored their two-goal advantage just five minutes later through Jese Rodriguez's fine finish.

Stars missing
Barcelona can move back level on points with Madrid by winning at Getafe later on Saturday.

Real were without Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema through injury as coach Rafael Benitez preferred not to risk any of his stars ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's visit in the Champions League on Tuesday.

However, the hosts were never put under any serious pressure as Las Palmas coughed up possession deep inside their own half after four minutes and Casemiro teed up Isco to coolly slot home his first goal of the season.

Ronaldo strikes
Ronaldo then added his 13th goal in as many games this campaign with a diving header to meet Marcelo's perfect cross from the left 10 minutes later.

There was little Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla could do seven minutes before half-time as Madrid conceded for the first time at home this season when Hernan was given acres of space to head home Nabil El Zhar's corner via the underside of the crossbar.

Yet, any hope of a close contest was wiped away when Jese skipped past Aythami Artiles before firing into goal.