Real Madrid welcomed Rayo Vallecano to the Bernabeu on Sunday looking to keep pace with second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Madrid were 2-0 ahead early on with Alvaro Morata and Sergio Ramos among the goals, but the latter was dismissed moments later after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession.
Both sides had chances in the second period, but neither could find the back of the net as Madrid secured the three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga commentary of the weekend comes from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome Rayo Vallecano in this Madrid derby. On paper, it would appear that there is only one result, but Rayo have been in stunning form this season. Madrid enter the match trailing Barcelona by 19 points and second-placed Atletico by seven.
Madrid were in Champions League action midweek when they picked up a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the first leg of their last-16 clash, but their home form in the league this season has been stunning, winning nine of their 11 matches, drawing the other two. Rayo have won four of their 11 matches on their travels, but have also been beaten seven times.
TEAMS:
REAL MADRID: Lopez; Ramos, Pepe, Varane, Coentrao; Kaka, Essien, Ozil, Khedira; Ronaldo, Morata
RAYO VALLECANO: Ruben; Casado, Jordi, Tito, Galvez; Fuego, Trashorras, Piti; Dominguez, Lass, Leo
So there we have it. The home side ring the changes from their clash with United, with Alvaro Morata, Kaka, Michael Essien and Pepe all coming into the team. However, there is no place in the squad for Gonzalo Higuain. Rayo, meanwhile, continue with Leo and Lass in attack. It is all set up for fine evening of football in this Madrid derby.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. Rayo have been impressive in recent weeks, but I can only see one result with Madrid's home form this season. Let's hope that the build-up matches the game. The home side get us underway.
It will be fascinating to see how Morata performs for Madrid this evening. The young Spaniard is making his first start in attack alongside Ronaldo and Ozil. A half-chance comes to Ronaldo inside the opening two minutes as the Portuguese drives into the box, but he can only fire his effort wide of the target.
Madrid really are entering a vital few weeks as they face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final before facing Manchester United in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie. Both matches are level at 1-1. It has been a strong start from the home side as Ozil drives into the penalty area.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano (Morata)
The home side have the lead inside the opening four minutes as Morata collects a pass from Ozil before firing his effort into the bottom corner. What a stunning way to introduce himself to the crowd. Although, that is his second league goal of the season.
I suspect that Rayo would have been sent out to keep things tight in the early stages, but that has been undone inside the opening five minutes. Another half-chance arrives as Ozil fires a low cross into the box, but Essien just cannot make contact with Piti on hand to clear at the vital moment.
Not too much from the away side to get excited about in attack at the moment as Ramos steps out to challenge Leo in the final third. The counter comes down the other end in the shape of Ozil, but his cross is fired straight into the arms of Ruben. What an enthralling eight minutes we have had to this Madrid derby as Kaka fires wide from close range.
Madrid continue to utterly dominate proceedings in terms of the possession, but Rayo come close on the counter with a low strike from Dominguez, which just moves past the post. You simply have to take those chances in this stadium. However, make no mistake, they are still well in this match despite trailing to that early goal.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with Madrid just enjoying possession in the Rayo half. Ozil is again involved as he attempts to find the run of Ronaldo, but Tito steps out to clear the danger. Rayo have not been able to utilise the pace of Lass thus far, who has been in fine form in recent weeks.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Rayo Vallecano (Ramos)
Madrid gain a free kick just outside the penalty area as Ramos is felled by Galvez. The resulting set piece is taken by Ozil, who finds Ramos's head in the box. That is his third goal of the season. Well, this one could be over with 13 minutes on the clock.
Madrid have won each of their last nine matches against Rayo, which is an indication of the task facing the away side this evening. They have just been utterly dominated in the opening stages of this match as Ozil fires another low cross into the penalty area, but Tito is on hand to clear.
Leo attempts to carry the fight for the away side as he drives into the penalty area before evading Pepe, but Ozil comes back to clear at the vital moment. All it takes is one goal for the away side and they are straight back in this match. It is almost three down the other end with a strike from Essien, but Ruben is on hand to make the save.
Slightly untidy period to the match in the last few moments with both sides guilty of handing possession away in midfield. Meanwhile, Ramos picks up a yellow card for a challenge on Leo. I suspect that the odds for him to be sent off have now shortened.
RED CARD! Oh my word! What did I just say?! Ramos has been sent off for a second yellow card I quick succession. It was an absolute nothing challenge for the first, before the second was awarded for a handball. Just incredible.
Ramos may be a fine defender, but he is always capable of getting himself sent from the field. It should not matter this evening, but he could cost his team in the next few weeks. So Ramos has scored and been sent off inside the opening 18 minutes of this match. Joy to disappointment. Can Rayo get back into this match?
The away side want a penalty as Piti falls over inside the box, but the referee gets the decision right with no player around the forward. Why has he not been booked?! Ramos has just been sent off for a handball so why has the Rayo striker not received the same punishment?! Mourinho is absolutely furious and rightly so.
Decent pressure from the away side at the moment as they continue to pass and probe around the edge of the area, but Leo just cannot find that final pass into the penalty area. The home side attempt to counter down the other end with Ronaldo, but Piti comes across to make a fine challenge. Lively period to the match with 24 minutes on the clock.
Rayo continue to put the pressure on as Lass dances down the right before whipping a low cross into the box, but Piti just cannot collect, with Essien on hand to clear the danger. Meanwhile, it appears that Mourinho is preparing an early change with Albiol readying himself for action.
The change is indeed made as Albiol replaces Morata, just 27 minutes into his debut. It is disappointing for the youngster, but circumstances have forced Mourinho into making that decision. It would be fair to state that Rayo smell a rat here as they continue to push forward with numbers.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, with the home side leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Morata and Ramos. Neither of whom are now on the field. Piti again comes close for Rayo as he strikes an effort from distance, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. One goal for the away side and it really is game on.
The pressure continues from the away side as Dominguez finds Casado down the right, but Pepe is across to make the challenge. The resulting corner also causes problems in the penalty area, but Lopez comes a long way to clear with a powerful punch. It is all Rayo at the moment.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Dominguez strikes an effort from outside the box, but it is straight at the goalkeeper. A little more quality in the final third and it would be a different match. However, you get the feeling that Madrid will score again on the counter attack.
A period of respite for the home side as Trashorras fells Khedira in the Rayo half. Strangely, we have not seen much from Ronaldo in this first period, which means that he will score a hat-trick in the second half. Little under 10 minutes of the half remaining and Rayo continue to force the issue.
CHANCE! Ronaldo comes close to scoring his first of the match as the Portuguese rounds the goalkeeper before attempting to find the bottom corner, but he just strikes it wide of the post. Rayo advance down the other end with Lass, but he just over-runs the ball at the vital moment.
It is wonderful work from Kaka as the Brazilian ghosts past two challenges before finding Ozil in the penalty area, but Casado is across to make a fine challenge. Slight coming together between Pepe and Dominguez causes a problem, but the referee plays on before Essien strikes wide from distance.
Dominguez and Pepe. I shall keep a close eye on that one. There is just some nastiness creeping into this match in the latter stages of the first period. Essien is the latest to clash with the Argentine, but the referee takes no further action. Still Rayo pressure, but they cannot find their opening goal.
Again it is sensational defending from Varane as the French defender denies Leo on the edge of the penalty area. Madrid advance down the other end and force a free kick, but Ronaldo's effort is over the crossbar. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.
The away side come close to their first in the latter stages of the half as Trashorras strikes an effort from close range, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. What a chance moments before the interval.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Rayo Vallecano
So there we have it. Madrid lead 2-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from Ramos and Morata, but that is not the full story, with the former seeing red for two yellow cards in 42 seconds. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the first period. The home side have dominated the possession with 67%, but both teams have had six attempts on goal. But for some poor finishing, the way side would be right in this match at the interval. The next goal could ultimately decide the match.
What about the benches for this evening? Madrid have the likes of Karim Benzema and Jose Callejon in reserve alongside Angel di Maria. The away side also have options, however, in the shape of Franco Vasquez and Andrija Delibasic. I suspect we will see some changes at some point.
There is another match taking place this evening, with Espanyol leading Real Betis 1-0 at the interval of their La Liga clash. How good have the home side been in recent weeks?! But for a poor start to the season they would be right in the European picture.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is not all that surprising at this stage of events. As it stands, Madrid would remain in third, four points behind Atletico. Meanwhile, Rayo would stay in seventh. The away side get the half underway.
Decent start to the second period from the home side as they pass and probe around the edge of the Rayo penalty area. Essien tries his luck from distance, but once more he fires over the crossbar. Ronaldo has a similar effort moments later, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. It hasn't been his night thus far.
The lively Lass forces a corner for the away side as he advances down the left before whipping a cross into the box, but Pepe is on hand to clear. The ball eventually falls to Fuego just inside the box, but once more he fires over the crossbar. You cannot said that Rayo have not had chances.
Figueras is the latest player to have his name taken as he fells Ronaldo outside the penalty area. Meanwhile, we have just seen a replay from the last Rayo corner. Coentrao handled in the box during the set piece and got away with it. Ronaldo comes close moments later with a low drive, but the offside flag is raised.
Piti tries his luck from distance moments later, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. The away supporters continue to sing their hearts out, but their side really needs a goal as this second period continues to gather pace. Not too much to report in terms of chances in this half thus far. But there is plenty of time for that to change.
Lass is again involved for the away side as he dances down the right, but the speedy winger cannot get a cross into the box with Pepe on hand to clear the danger. The home side come close down the other end as Ronaldo feed Ozil, but once more the German's final pass is short of the required standard.
Another half-chance for the home side as Kaka strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post. Ozil cuts inside moments later, but he is challenged by Trashorras. The resulting free kick is taken by Ronaldo, but his effort smashes into the wall. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Another half-chance comes down the other end as Leo collects possession outside the box before striking an effort towards the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. Kaka attempts to force the issue down the other end, but in doing so the Brazilian gives away another free kick. Still no movement on the Rayo bench.
Rayo continue to force the issue as Fuego fires a searching cross into the box, but it evades everyone before moving out for a throw. Despite the pressure from the away side, they have just not forced an effort on the Madrid goal. However, there is certainly still time for this match to change.
Another opportunity comes to the away side as Piti strikes an effort from outside the box, but the shot is blocked by Leo, with the Brazilian ruled offside for good measure. Kaka again impresses down the other end with wonderful feet, but Ronaldo loses possession before fouling Tito.
Positive change for the away side as Jose Carlos replaces Casado. A striker for a defender. Can they force something in the latter stages of this match? It is the away supporters that continue to create the noise inside this stadium. Little under 25 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
Again Ozil is involves for the home side as he drives a low cross towards Kaka, the Brazilian in turn finds Khedira, but the German can only fire wide of the target. Kaka has been very impressive this evening it must be said. A corner for Madrid follows moments later, but Ruben is on hand to claim under pressure.
Meanwhile, Madrid make their second change of the match as Ozil is replaced by Angel di Maria. I suspect that is the last thing that the Rayo supporters want to see at this stage of the match. Pure pace, fresh legs. Just about 20 minutes of the match remaining and still Rayo cannot find the back of the net despite extended pressure.
Not too much to report in the last couple of minutes. The away side are enjoying plenty of the possession, but it is almost as if they do not believe that they can take something from this match. Madrid have not been out of second gear thus far, but it appears that they will indeed pick up the three points.
Meanwhile, the away side make their second change of the match as Trashorras is replaced by Vasquez for the final 15 minutes of this match. Rayo again threaten with a low cross into the penalty area, but Pepe is on hand to clear under pressure from Lass. It falls back to the striker outside the box, but his shot is wide of the target.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score their third of the match as Kaka dances round the goalkeeper before firing a low cross into the box, but there is no takers, with the ball moving along the edge of the penalty area.
End-to-end period to the match at the moment as both sides continue to commit players to each attack. Meanwhile, Pepe is the latest player to have his name taken for a challenge on Leo. There is a real sense of nastiness in this match as we approach the final 10 minutes. You get the feeling that Rayo have missed a trick here.
POST! The away side come within a whisker of scoring their first of the match as Galvez thumps a low effort from close range, but it strikes the foot of the post. That would have certainly made the last 10 minutes interesting. Madrid remain 2-0 in the lead.
Rayo continue to force the issue with a series of high balls into the penalty area, but Lopez is on hand to claim the danger. Meanwhile, the home side make their third and final change of the match as Kaka is replaced by Jose Callejon for the final stages.
Not too much to report in the latter stages of the match with Madrid keeping hold of the possession. Rayo do fashion a half-chance as Leo collects on the edge of the box before feeding Lass, but once more the speedy winger cannot evade Pepe, who has been impressive this evening. Meanwhile, Rayo make their third change as Piti is replaced by Delibasic.
Decent possession for Rayo as they continue to find Leo around the edge of the box, but the Brazilian has been unable to craft his way into the penalty area throughout the entirety of this match. Meanwhile, Lass gets away with another one as he makes a late challenge on Pepe. He perhaps should have been sent off this evening.
Ronaldo comes close to his first of the evening as he meets a cross in the box, but he can only head wide of the target. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time.
Not too much to report in the latter stages of the match with the home side dominating possession of the ball. Rayo force two corners in the latter stages, but it is the story of their evening as Lopez comes out to claim. You do get the feeling that Rayo have missed a trick this evening. Little over 30 seconds of football remaining.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Rayo Vallecano
So there we have it. Madrid score twice in the first period to pick up all three points against Rayo. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for a host of live commentaries in the coming week. Good evening!
