Staff Reporter.
Real Madrid won for the 10th game in a row to beat neighbours Atletico Madrid and move eight points clear of Sevilla at the top of La Liga.
La Liga’s top scorer Karim Benzema powered in a fantastic volley from Vinicius Jr’s cross to give Carlo Ancelotti’s side the lead.
And Vinicius picked out Marco Asensio to slot home their second.
Defending champions Atletico, who are 13 points behind Real, had chances but the clinical hosts deserved the win.
Real have only lost twice in 23 games – and none since 3 October – since Carlo Ancelotti replaced Zinedine Zidane in the summer.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who sit fourth, look miles away from the team who won La Liga last season.
They did force Real keeper Thibaut Courtois into six saves, including to keep out Antoine Griezmann’s free-kick.
A double change at the break and the introduction of Luis Suarez could not help them find a way through though.
Real deserved their win with Vinicius involved in both goals. Benzema’s opener was his 13th La Liga goal of the season and his 36th for Real in all competitions in 2021, his best annual haul for the club. He was replaced by Luka Jovic at the break.
Barcelona are down in eighth, 18 points behind Real, after a 2-2 draw at Osasuna.
We were effective,” said Ancelotti after the match, while adding his team were now clear LaLiga favourites. “We had solidity at the back. They played a lot of long balls, they tried to get in behind with Correa, we were a bit surprised that they played 4-4-2 so we had to push a bit more with our fullbacks, but after the first goal we controlled the game.
“We’re favourites today, you can say that, of course. We’ve done well, better than the others. We’re focused on the next games, dropping off mentally can cost you. We’re doing well, we have to keep going, that is the only way to get closer to winning sooner.”