Easy does it for Real Madrid, and they extend their lead at the top to four points. Espanyol battled gamely, but they barely threatened, and Real’s quality told in the end. Two good goals for Real, from Morata and the returning Gareth Bale, and, all in all, a very solid day’s work for Zidane’s men.

Thanks for reading. Bye.

And that’s that.

90 min Penalty this time for Ronaldo? No, it’s offside! Ronaldo was wrestled to the ground by Martin, and it looked a clear penalty – but then the ref changed his mind because the linesman’s flag was up.

88 min Ronaldo wanted a penalty, and looks at Alberto Undiano in anguished fashion, but Duarte did very to reach it and take the ball away.

86 min That was a great finish from Bale: he had lots to do, but the shot was really accurate. And another assist for Isco, his second of the day.

84 min A truly clinical counter-attack from the home side. Espanyol had a free kick in the attacking third, but it was headed clear, and Real were away. Isco held it, and held it, and then slipped in Bale, motoring down the left side, and the Welshman’s finish was really slick: hard and low inside the far post. Great goal; game over.

He’s back, baby!

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82 min Casemiro receives a booking for a clip, and is incredulous.

81 min Kroos crosses from the right, and Pepe heads wide. A poor header by his standards.

80 min Yellow card for Aaron Martin for some illegal wrestling on Lucas. Nacho, who’s played well, is replaced by Marcelo.

78 min Lucas tries to hit a volley from the same position that Marco van Basten scored his memorable goal against the Soviet Union in 1988, but the outcome is not the same.

76 min Espanyol have been toothless in attack, but Real aren’t home and and dry yet. Carvajal hits a bouncing ball from 30 yards, but it’s easy for Diego Lopez.

74 min Good play from Casemiro to set Lucas away, but his cross for Isco is overhit. With a little more care, Real could be two or three up here.

72 min Jurado hits one from about 35 yards, and it doesn’t test Casilla. It’s well, well over the bar.

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71 min Mega applause as Bale enters to replace Morata. Morata’s done OK today – and he took his goal very well.

69 min Morata escapes down the left, hangs one up, and Ronaldo heads over! He got up so well, but just couldn’t crane that bulging neck of his over the ball. Unlucky.

68 min Diop is booked for a naughty foul on Casemiro. Espanyol still haven’t tested Casilla. Bring back Raul Tamudo!

66 min Another corner for Real. Cleared away.

65 min Casemiro tries to recreate his stunner against Napoli on Wednesday, but it’s into row Z.

62 min Espanyol win a corner. But Kroos heads it clear, and suddenly Real are away … but Lucas Vazquez’s pass is poor. Real had options then.

61 min Kovacic’s day is done, and he has quite a shiner to show for it, following that clash with Diop. I wonder if that cut will need further attention. Casemiro is in.

59 min Espanyol just haven’t been able to fashion anything in the Real half. But while it remains 1-0, they’re still in the game.

57 min David Lopez rescues Espanyol with Ronaldo and Morata looking to feast. Another corner, but again it’s cleared, and now Espanyol break with a three on two … but Perez turns into Varane, and then is whistled for a foul. That was a chance for Espanyol on the counter!

55 min Real are purring here, and it’s another corner, their ninth. But Espanyol have defended Real’s set pieces well, and it’s headed clear again. Kroos has a blast from long range, but it’s a couple of feet over the bar.

53 min And Ronaldo fires it straight into the wall.

52 min Javi Fuego is booked for a pull on Ronaldo, and this is a good shooting chance for Real, 25 yards from goal in a central position.

49 min Nice break from Real, and Ronaldo made an excellent overlapping run, but he just couldn’t quite pick out Lucas in the middle.

48 min Isco is yellow-carded for a foul on Piatti. Incidentally, Perez has come into the game wearing a face mask to protect a smashed cheekbone.

47 min Gareth Bale is warming up on the sidelines. Cue much applause from the home fans.

46 min We’re back. One change at the half: Hernan Perez is on for Jose Reyes.

Real comfortably on top, even though they only have one goal to show for it. Espanyol have done well in parts, but they haven’t really tested Kiko Casilla.

See you in 15.

That’s the whistle.

43 min Piatti, incidentally, is wearing a rugby-style scrum cap after suffering a fractured skull against Malaga. Ouch.

41 min Great touch from the bearded Nacho on the left side, and he wins another corner. Headed clear by Duarte, and Kovacic is booked for a clip on Piatti as Espanyol tried to break.