Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale put Espanyol to the sword

Karim Benzema will start up front for Real Madrid (Reuters)

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is the type of player who can excite any football fan, coach Santiago Solari said after the often-maligned Frenchman scored twice and inspired his side to a 4-2 win at Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday.

Benzema, who has been playing through the pain of a fractured finger sustained two weeks ago, got the third-placed visitors off to a dream start by pouncing on a rebound and opening the scoring in the fourth minute.

The forward then made it 3-1 to Madrid just before halftime with a magnificent strike, playing a one-two with Vinicius Jr and stroking the ball into the bottom corner, and he played a role in Gareth Bale scoring the European champions' fourth.

"He had a spectacular game, Madrid fans are enjoying watching him and so would any person who likes football," Solari said after a fifth win from six games in all competitions for his side, who are hitting form after a poor start to 2019.

"Karim is such a generous player, he makes his team mates better with his play and with his efforts."

Benzema, 31, is Real's leading scorer this term with 13 goals though he has not always enjoyed the devotion of the fans due to his inconsistent scoring record, having notched more than 20 in the league in only two of his 10 seasons with the club.

Yet with Madrid's all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo now at Juventus, and the likes of Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio struggling for consistency and with injuries, Benzema has turned into of one of their most reliable players this year.

"Today he scored twice, but he always puts in complete performances," added Solari, after the win kept third-placed Madrid within five points of local rivals Atletico, although still 10 adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Winger Lucas Vazquez also heaped praise on Benzema.

"He is proving that he is the best number nine in the world," he said. "He is scoring goals, working hard and linking up with everyone. It's wonderful to be able to play with him."

Reuters

Preview

How to stream and watch on TV...

The match will be shown online on Eleven Sports 1 and STV Player.

Form guide...

Espanyol – LLDLL

Real Madrid – WDLWW

Odds...

Real Madrid 4/6

Espanyol 3/1

Draw 4/1

Prediction...

Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid

[27 January 2019 19:49 · Callum Rice-Coates]

GOAL! Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid (Benzema)

4 minutes

That didn't take long. Real have started purposefully and they lead after just four minutes. Modric is allowed to run unchallenged into the box, before shooting from close range. Lopez saves well but Benzema is there to tap home the rebound. A woeful start for Espanyol.

[27 January 2019 19:53 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid

7 minutes

Marc Roca is the first player to go into the book for pulling back Kroos, who was about to start off a Real counter attack.

[27 January 2019 19:56 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid

10 minutes

Vazquez beats his man on the right and looks to pick out Benzema in the box. His cross is intercepted, but Real look dangerous whenever they go forward. They look like a side with renewed confidence.

[27 January 2019 20:00 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid

15 minutes

Vinicius again drives at the Espanyol defence, causing panic at the back for the hosts. He lays the ball back for Kroos whose shot is deflected wide.

[27 January 2019 20:01 · Callum Rice-Coates]

GOAL! Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid (Ramos)

15 minutes

From the resulting corner, Real make it 2-0. The set piece is played short to Modric, who has all the time in the world to pick out Sergio Ramos in the box. The centre back plants his header firmly into the far corner, leaving Lopez with no chance.

[27 January 2019 20:05 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid

19 minutes

It's all been far too easy for Real Madrid so far. Espanyol have been passive and ill disciplined, and the visitors have capitalised. This is more like the Real of old.

[27 January 2019 20:10 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid

24 minutes

Espanyol create their first chance of the game. Javi Lopez feeds the ball into Leo Baptistao, who shoots from a tight angle and draws a save from Courtois.

[27 January 2019 20:10 · Callum Rice-Coates]

GOAL! Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid (Baptistao)

25 minutes

From nothing, the home side are right back in this game. Real fail to clear a corner and the ball drops to Baptistao, who rifles a shot into the roof of the net. Real have been impressive going forward tonight, but their defensive vulnerabilities remain a problem.

[27 January 2019 20:13 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid

27 minutes

Baptistao is full of confidence. He collects the ball deep in Espanyol's half and powers forward, beating a couple of players before going down under a challenge from Ramos. The Real defender gets his customary booking.

[27 January 2019 20:18 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid

31 minutes

Espanyol have built on the momentum following their goal and look far more competitive now. Real are no longer creating chance after chance and the hosts are fighting for the ball. It's a shame, from their perspective, that they started so tepidly.