Real Madrid Beat Las Palmas But Girona Move Top Of La Liga

Real Madrid eased to a 2-0 win over Las Palmas on Wednesday to overtake Barcelona and move second, but Catalan minnows Girona are the surprise La Liga leaders after after a 2-1 win at Villarreal. Barcelona started the week top of the league but a 2-2 draw at Real Mallorca on Tuesday left the door open for their rivals to overtake them. Madrid produced a comfortable victory with goals from Brahim Diaz and Joselu, while Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior also made his return from injury as a second half substitute, following a month out.

"(Vinicius) came on with a lot of desire and hope, he wanted to score, and help the team," said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"He's totally recovered but now he has to prepare well and be ready for the next game on Saturday, when he will start."

Ancelotti rested Jude Bellingham, who has been Madrid's best player so far, starting Diaz in attacking midfield in the England international's stead.

The Italian also swapped out both full-backs after the painful derby defeat by Atletico Madrid on Sunday, with Ferland Mendy and Nacho starting in place of Fran Garcia and Lucas Vazquez.

Real Madrid were on the front foot from the start against their promoted visitors from the Canary Islands, but lacked the killer finishing touch that Karim Benzema brought in recent years, and Bellingham has in recent weeks.

Striker Joselu, on loan from Espanyol, had various chances to break the deadlock but was repeatedly denied by excellent Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles, who also thwarted Diaz.

Vazquez replaced the injured David Alaba, with Nacho moving inside to centre-back and the substitute played a part in the opening goal just before the break.

Diaz broke the deadlock, taking a touch to control Vazquez's