Real Madrid made progress in the title battle with victory at Espanyol.
They closed to within three points of the Primera Division leaders with a 1-0 victory over Espanyol at Estadi Cornella-El Prat.
Centre-back Pepe headed home the only goal of the game at the start of the second half as Madrid took full advantage of the goalless draw between joint pacesetters Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.
The victory was Madrid's eighth in nine games since their last league loss, which was the 2-1 defeat at Barca in October, but it was closer than they would have liked with their much-vaunted attack failing to make the most of a host of chances to finish the game off.
