- Bellingham missed out on a place in the starting eleven for the first time this season
- Brahim scored just before half-time before Joselu continued his good form for Madrid
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Jude Bellingham was left out for the first time this season, but Real Madrid suffered no losses as they defeated strugglers Las Palmas 2-0.
Bellingham was joined on the bench by the fit Vinicius and the Brazilian came on for the final half hour, but the job was already done.
It was Brahim Diaz who took Bellingham’s place at the top of the mid-table, defending Carlo Ancelotti in the build-up to the match despite the side’s failure to excel in the Madrid derby.
And he scored the first before Joselu made it two. The big striker was left out of the Madrid derby, but on his fourth home start he scored his fourth goal, putting the result beyond doubt.
The productive Bellingham watched as Real Madrid failed to make early breakthroughs. They dominated, but Joselu missed their first chance after 20 minutes when he was found by Antonio Rüdiger’s pass.
Real Madrid climbed to the top of LaLiga as striker Joselu continued his good form by scoring again
Jude Bellingham was named as a substitute for Madrid for the first time since joining the club
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Joselu then played Brahim through but his first touch was heavy and Alvaro Valles came out to save, catching the striker with his follow-through and bringing on a half-hearted penalty call.
Brahim was played in again moments later, but shot miserably wide and was saved by the offside flag.
Nacho then tested Valles, but the keeper saved and he then punched away another Joselu attempt. Just before half time he saved again from Joselu, this time with his feet. There was apparently no way out past the Las Palmas keeper.
Brahim Diaz scored his team’s second goal in the second half of the match in Madrid on Wednesday
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are looking to regain the LaLiga title after missing out on rivals Barcelona last season
It had been a frustrating first half and there was another setback when David Alaba limped off and Lucas Vazquez came on, leaving Nacho at centre-back.
And it was substitute Lucas who crossed from the right to pick out Brahim who took a touch and then converted into the roof of the net to send Madrid into a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Joselu finally scored after those first-half misses, heading in Rodrygo’s cross to double Madrid’s lead after 54 minutes. Vinicius came into action on the hour mark and there were some magical touches, but Madrid already had the three points – enough to put them above Barcelona, but not on top.
Simultaneously at kick-off, Girona defeated Villarreal and after seven games played, they look down on the rest.