Real Madrid blank Eibar 2-0 in La Liga

Spanish giants Real Madrid needed two goals from set pieces to break down the resistance of Eibar in a La Liga football contest.

The glamour team had to suffer before taking three points from their visit to the Ipurua Stadium on Sunday as Rafael Benitez's side found it difficult to break down the side with the lowest budget in the league, reports Xinhua.

The game looked to be heading 0-0 into the halftime break before Gareth Bale flicked home at the near post following a corner. The win wasn't assured before Cristiano Ronaldo scored his side's second goal after Lucas Vazquez was brought down in the Eibar penalty area eight minutes from time.

The points keep Real Madrid six points behind leaders FC Barcelona, but the performance will do little to ease the criticism of the under pressure Benitez after Barcelona produced another fine display to defeat Real Sociedad 4-0 on Saturday with two goals from Neymar, one from Luis Suarez and one from Messi.

The win ends a magnificent week for Barcelona who have scored 14 goals in their last three matches, conceding just one in return, while their trio of strikers have scored 30 goals between them in their last 13 league matches.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Valencia coach Nuno Espiritu Santo resigned following his side's 0-1 defeat away to Sevilla on Sunday.

Valencia ended with nine men after Javi Fuego and Joan Cancelo were sent off as Sergio Escudero scored the winning goal for Sevilla, who were also under par.

Antoine Griezmann scored after just 2 minutes for Atletico Madrid at home to Espanyol to ensure a 1-0 win.

Espanyol failed to muster a single on shot on target during the match, but there was bad news for Atletico, who lost midfielder Tiago Cardoso with a broken leg.

Getafe took a surprise step away from the relegation zone with a 2-0 win at home to Villarreal. Angel Lafita and Alvaro Vazquez scored in the 21st and 51st minutes of the game as Villarreal maybe pay for their efforts in the Europa League on Thursday.

Aritz Aduriz's hat-trick gave Athletic Club Bilbao a convincing 3-0 win away to Rayo Vallecano.

Malaga squandered a two goal lead to draw 2-2 against Granada while Las Palmas were beaten 2-0 at home to Deportivo La Coruna.

Celta Vigo defeated Sporting Gijon 2-1.