Benzema’s header takes Real Madrid to the top

Ronaldo fails to add to his tally but Benzema seals three points for his side.

Real Madrid vs Granada CF
Real Madrid are now one point ahead of Barcelona on the table [EPA]

A second-half Karim Benzema header gave a below-par Real Madrid a 1-0 La Liga victory over Granada, who squandered several good chances.

The Frenchman, who appeared marginally offside, nodded home an Isco cross after 55 minutes against a well-organised Granada side that attacked with pace.

Cristiano Ronaldo had eight goals from his previous two games but he and his team mates struggled to beat keeper Andres Fernandez.

La Liga top scorers
5 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 
3 Nolito (Celta Vigo)             
   Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)     
   Cedric Bakambu (Villarreal)

Granada will feel they deserved more, but poor finishing especially from Isaac Success cost them dearly and they had a Youssef El-Arabi goal wrongly ruled offside.

“Referees make mistakes, we make mistakes Everyone can make errors,” Real Madrid full back Marcelo told reporters.

“It was a strange game. We had chances but they did also and in the end we were able to get the goal that helped us a lot and these are three important points.”

Real have 10 points from four games and are a point ahead of champions Barcelona, who have won their opening three matches and face Levante at home on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Valencia’s stuttering start to the season continued as they were held 0-0 at home to 10-man Real Betis and have just one league win from four games.

Results:

Real Madrid 1-0 Granada CF
Valencia 0-0 Real Betis

Source: Reuters