Real Madrid v Valencia as it happened: European champions labour to win
Re-live the action from the Santiago Bernabeu
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Your support makes all the difference.Real Madrid produced another unconvincing display on Saturday but rode their luck to earn a 2-0 win at home to Valencia which allowed them to climb to fifth in the La Liga standings and soothe their recent troubles.
The European champions, who were humbled 3-0 by Eibar last week, took a fortuitous lead when Valencia midfielder Daniel Wass nodded a Dani Carvajal cross into his own net in the eighth minute after former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista had failed to clear the danger.
The visitors, knocked out of the Champions League in mid-week, let Madrid off the hook on three occasions in the second half when Santi Mina and Paulista failed to hit the target with glorious chances from inside the area.
Valencia's Michy Batshuayi was then denied by his fellow Belgian and former Chelsea team mate Thibaut Courtois in the Real goal and moments later, down the other end, Lucas Vazquez sealed a barely deserved yet vital win in the 83rd minute, completing a quick-fire counterattack spearheaded by the tireless Carvajal. Re-live the action below:
14 minutes
Gareth Bale cuts in from the left, and shoots with his right-foot straight at Valencia keeper Neto.
20 minutes
Another yellow card for Valencia. Jose Luis Gaya is beaten for pace by Lucas Vazquez, and a tug of the shirt puts a third Valencia player in the book.
24 minutes
It's a terrible kick-out from Neto, but Real can't quite take advantage. Vazquez's shot is deflected behind for a corner, and Valencia clear their lines.
It's been a torrid start for the visitors.
29 minutes
Vazquez's cross is controlled by Bale at the back post, who shoots firmly with his left-foot but Neto gets a strong hand to it. Smart stop from the Brazilian.
36 minutes
Game has gone a little bit flat - looks like Valencia have weathered the storm for now.
37 minutes
Modric weaves his way into the box, and sets up Benzema on the edge of the box whose curling shot goes just over the bar.
Thirty seconds later Bale has a similar shot from the other side of the box, and his shot has plenty of whip but not quite the accuracy.
43 minutes
Both teams are playing out from the back and keeping the ball well, but are lacking threat in the final third.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Valencia
Daniel Wass' own goal is what separates the two sides at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid started off very well but Valencia came back into the game as the half progressed. Despite that, Valencia have been very short of creativity, and Marcelino will have a lot to say to his team at the break.
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