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Real Madrid win but fail to convince at home to Deportivo

Xinhua, February 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

Real Madrid moved four points ahead of FC Barcelona at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga, but failed to produce a performance that will banish doubts about their current form as they made hard work of defeating Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday evening.

Isco and Karim Benzema scored the goals which kept the points in the Bernabeu against a rival who were with a chance of taking a point until Benzema sealed the win with just over 15 minutes remaining.

The game took place in the wake of the fallout following Reals 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial birthday party a few hours later.

Strangely neither Ronaldo nor any of the players who were at that event were singled out for criticism by the fans in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but Iker Casillas and Gareth Bale, who never attended the festivities and coach, Carlo Ancelotti were booed before kick-off.

Bale's response was a 17th minute shot which rattled the woodwork, but before then Deportivo, who had nine players out injured for the match, had caused a few scares of their own with Carvalho seeing a shot parried by Casillas and Isaac Cuenca curling a shot inches wide of the Real Madrid goal.

After Bale's shot had hit the bar, Isco put Real Madrid ahead after good work by Bale down the right. The Welshman's cross was knocked down by Karim Benzema and although Ronaldo was unable to score, the ball fell to Isco who curled the ball past Deportivo keeper Fabricio from the corner of the area.

The second half began with Real Madrid struggling to take control of the game and Deportivo again threatened through Oriol Rieira, whose shot was again parried by Casillas.

Real Madrid were struggling to control the midfield and Deportivo at times looked comfortable moving the ball in the home side's half to the increasing irritation of the fans in the stands.

Lucas Silva made his Real Madrid debut when he replaced Asier Illaramendi with just under 20 minutes remaining shortly before Karim Benzema doubled his side's lead.

Deportivo were caught flat footed as they pushed for an equalizer and a combination between Arbeloa, Ronaldo and Benzema ended with the Frenchman lifting the ball over Fabricio and into the goal via the post. Endi