Isco stars in Madrid’s win over Espanyol

Isco scored twice as Real Madrid reduced the gap on La Liga leadersBarcelona to seven points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Espanyol on a daywhere football was dragged into violent political clashes in Catalonia.Barca had earlier on Saturday extended their perfect start in La Liga toseven games in extraordinary circumstances as they beat Las Palmas 3-0behind closed doors at the 99,000 capacity Camp Nou following the policecrackdown over an independence vote deemed illegal by the Spanishgovernment.At least 91 people were injured as Spanish riot police fired rubberbullets and forced their way into activist-held polling stations.Following La Liga’s refusal to abandon the match, Barca decided to playbehind closed doors as a means of protest. Outspoken Barca defenderGerard Pique broke down in tears as he described the day as “the worstprofessional experience I have had in my life.”The political tension also bubbled over at the Santiago Bernabeu whereReal fans waved Spanish flags and sang ‘Viva Espana’ (long live Spain).On the field there was far less conflict as Real eased to an 11thconsecutive win over Barcelona-based Espanyol for their first homeleague win of the season.“We have to be happy. The important thing was the three points afterthree games without winning here,” said Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.Isco was denied the opening goal inside 30 seconds by Espanyolgoalkeeper Pau Lopez.But the Spanish international made no mistake when he prodded homeCristiano Ronaldo’s pass for the opener on 30 minutes. Ronaldo volleyedover and then fired straight at Lopez when clean through. However,Espanyol had a slew of chances themselves to level.Gerard Moreno hit the post just before the break, whilst Keylor Navasdenied Marc Navarro and Nacho produced a brilliant goal line clearanceto prevent Leo Baptistao a tap in. Espanyol’s profligacy was finally punished 19 minutes from time whenIsco curled home his second of the evening at the end of a rapidcounter-attack. “He is a player that plays like he’s on the street,”Zidane added on Isco’s impressive form. “I like that. He doesn’t worrywhen things don’t go his way.”Victory lifts Madrid up to fifth behind Barca, Sevilla, Valencia andAtletico Madrid. Valencia’s great start under Marcelino Garcia Toral’stutelage continued with a thrilling 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao.Simeone Zaza and Dani Parejo’s penalty gave the hosts a 2-0 half-timelead.Aritz Aduriz reduced the arrears for Athletic, who have now gone sixgames without a win. Rodrigo restored Valencia’s two-goal cushion beforeRaul Garcia’s late consolation. The game of the day was undoubtedly atAnoeta where Real Sociedad and Real Betis drew 4-4.Three times Betis led thanks to goals from Antonio Sanabria, Zoudhair Feddal, Joaquin and Sergio Leon.But Sociedad kept roaring back as Diego Llorente’s header four minutesfrom time salvaged a point after earlier strikes from Willian Jose,Mikel Oyarzabal and Xabi Prieto. Villarreal get off to a winning startunder new coach Javi Calleja as Cedric Bakambu hit a hat-trick to seeoff Eibar 3-0.