Asensio scores the winner as Real battle past Espanyol

Real Madrid moved top of La Liga after Marco Asensio's goal proved the difference in a scrappy 1-0 win over Espanyol.

Their victory at the Santiago Bernabeu may only give Madrid 24 hours above Barcelona, who play Girona on Sunday, with their perfect record still intact.

More pressing for Julen Lopetegui will be the defensive slackness that made this arguably the least assured of the six competitive games he has overseen so far, including last weekend's draw away to Athletic Bilbao.

There were changes, with Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Dani Carvajal all rested, the latter not even included on the bench, following Real's win over Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday.

But if they gift Atletico Madrid the same chances in the city derby next weekend, they may not find their opponents so generous. Atletico had earlier ground out a 2-0 win away to Getafe.

"The game was nervous and in the last 15 minutes we lacked control," Lopetegui said.

"These post-Champions League games are always really dangerous and we know it."
- Lemar lifts Atletico -
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"The coach trusts me and it's the least I can do to repay his faith."