Real Madrid beats Espanyol 3-0 in Spanish league

Barcelona remains five points clear at the top with 55 points. Real Madrid was second on 50. Third-place Valencia beat Valladolid 2-0 earlier to reach 42 points.

Sergio Ramos put Real Madrid ahead in the sixth minute in Bernabeu Stadium, heading in Esteban Granero's pass.

Kaka scored the second in the 29th, sweeping the ball in after Carlos Kameni had saved Raul Gonzalez's header.

Gonzalo Higuain controlled a long pass to score in the 90th, after going on as a substitute.

“We played well, things are going well for me and for Real Madrid,” said Kaka. “We just have to hope that Barcelona starts dropping points.”

Raul partnered Karim Benzema in attack for most of the game and Madrid dominated throughout, rarely looking like conceding.

However, in the 23rd, Sergio Ramos left an Espanyol cross for his goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who had to save when Ferran Corominas charged in and got a foot to the ball.

Espanyol had difficulty handling Madrid's aerial game and Ramos nearly scored again in the 28th, rising to head Xabi Alonso's cross just wide of the left post.

Kameni then made a spectacular save from a powerful Raul header, before pushing a Granero free kick round the post. The lively Kaka struck the post on the hour as Madrid had a string of chances.Lassana Diarra replaced Jose Maria “Guti” Gutierrez 20 minutes from the end and Higuain went on for Benzema in the 73rd. At Camp Nou, Lionel Messi was in scintillating form as he scored and set up another goal.

Messi's 16th league goal of the season came in the sixth, curling in a shot with his left foot after Yaya Toure set him up from a corner.

In the 67th, Messi dribbled from the halfway line into the goalkeeper's area before laying the ball on for Xavi Hernandez to score.

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