If you are not a member yet, you can sign up here

First Division - Day 16

Real Madrid 2 - Sevilla 1

Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Sergio Ramos (Nacho 09‘), Marcelo; James (Jesé 27‘), Khedira, Kroos, Isco (Illarramendi 90‘); Bale, Benzema. 4-4-2.
Sevilla: Beto (Sergio Rico 35’); Diogo Figueiras, Carriço, Kolodziejczak, Fernando Navarro; Krychowiak, M’Bia; Deulofeu (Aleix Vidal 54‘), Iborra, Vitolo; Bacca (Iago Aspas 67‘). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 12. James. Got behind defence to steer header past Beto from Marcelo cross.
2-0. 36. Jesé. Drove shot past Sergio Rico after Isco touched on Benzema centre.
2-1. 80. Aspas. Turned shot past Casillas after Vitolo laid ball back from by-line.

Yellow cards: Diogo Figueiras 41’, Fernando Navarro 42’, Varane 45’, M’Bia 45’, Marcelo 60’, Carriço 66’, Vitolo 71’, Aleix Vidal 76’.

Real Madrid have opened up a four point gap at the top of the table after they beat fourth placed Sevilla 2-1 in a match postponed from December due to Madrid’s participation in the Club World Cup. James headed the opener in the twelfth minute from Marcelo’s cross, but both he and Ramos had to leave the pitch early due to injuries, and visiting keeper Beto was also stretchered off and taken to hospital after clashing with Benzema. Just a minute after Sergio Rico came on as Beto’s replacement, substitute Jesé drove home the second, and Benzema drilled a shot just wide of the post before the break. However Sevilla had their chances as well, Casillas having to save from Vitolo in the opening moments and Iborra firing a shot against the post a few minutes later. Rico did well to keep out Isco after the restart and Iborra missed a sitter at the other end, and with ten minutes to go Iago Aspas turned a Vitolo cross past Casillas to set up a nail biting finale. A vital win for Ancelotti’s side but at a cost, and although Ronaldo will be back from suspension for Saturday’s derby at Atlético, Ramos and James join Pepe and Modric on the injury list, and Marcelo will also be banned for that game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.