Joselu made another telling contribution to help Real Madrid continue their perfect start to the new LaLiga season with a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.
Espanyol loanee Joselu scored in Madrid’s last-gasp victory over Getafe before the international break a fortnight ago and produced the winner on this occasion to make it five wins from five for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Ander Barrenetxea had put Sociedad in front after five minutes but Federico Valverde produced a long-rang special straight after half-time before Joselu’s header on the hour mark clinched all three points for Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham received the acclaim of the home crowd before kick-off when he was awarded the LaLiga player of the month for August following a stunning start to life in the Spanish capital.
Sociedad silenced the Bernabeu faithful in the fifth minute when Barrenetxea eventually applied the finishing touch to a slick move by the visitors.
After building up play from the back, Kieran Tierney passed into Take Kubo, who crossed in for Barrenetxea and, despite Madrid’s on-loan goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga saving the first effort of the Sociedad attacker, Barrenetxea was first to the rebound to force the ball over the line.
Kubo continued to impress against his old club Madrid and ended a fine first half for the away side with a cheeky nutmeg on Toni Kroos.
The Madrid supporters were on their feet straight after the interval when Valverde sidefooted home from the edge of the area.
It took Ancelotti’s team only 40 seconds of the second half to level when he rifled into the corner after being teed up by Fran Garcia.
Garcia was also the creator in chief for what proved the winner in the 60th minute.
Left-back Garcia was given too much space out wide and clipped in a superb delivery for the unmarked Joselu to head in from six yards for the Spanish veteran’s second goal of the season.
Ancelotti brought off the forward two minutes later with Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga introduced and they helped Madrid hold on to secure a fifth straight LaLiga victory this season, but only after Bellingham was denied another goal when his late diving header was stopped by Alex Remiro.
Madrid now turn their attention to the Champions League, which resumes in midweek and the 14-time European Cup winners begin their campaign with a home fixture against Union Berlin on Wednesday.
Al-Khaleej 0-1 Al-Nassr: Ronaldo misfires on return as Laporte nets winner
Cristiano Ronaldo returned from suspension but failed to find the net as Al-Nassr secured a 1-0 win over Al-Khaleej on Saturday, with Aymeric Laporte coming up with the decisive goal.
Ronaldo was in action for the first time since being sent off for an elbow in a 2-1 Saudi Super Cup loss to Al-Hilal earlier this month, with his initial two-match ban being reduced to one on appeal.
He missed three good chances as Al-Nassr threatened to fall further behind runaway Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal, but former Manchester City defender Laporte spared his blushes by nodding Marcelo Brozovic's deep free-kick into the bottom-left corner with 68 minutes gone.
Al-Nassr remain nine points adrift of Al-Hilal at the summit in spite of their win, with Jorge Jesus' team unbeaten through 28 games this season as they close in on a record-extending 18th title.
Data Debrief: Ronaldo misfires on return
Ronaldo was presented with the Saudi Pro League's Player of the Month award for March ahead of kick-off, having scored four goals in three league appearances last month.
However, his sights were off on Saturday as he failed to net despite three of the visitors' four big chances, as defined by Opta, falling his way. He led all players on the pitch for expected goals (1.27 xG), shots (five), shots on target (three) and touches in the area (nine) without reward.
Huddersfield all but relegated from Championship while League Two play-off spots decided
Huddersfield Town saw their relegation from the Championship all but confirmed after a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Terriers avoided a defeat that would have seen them relegated on Saturday, but even a win on the final day over promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town will not be enough unless they overcome a huge goal difference of 15 goals with Plymouth Argyle.
Birmingham remain in the other relegation place and now must beat Norwich City to stand a chance of staying up with Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth and Blackburn Rovers also still in danger.
At the other end of the table, the Canaries dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City, leaving the door open for Hull City, who face Ipswich Town later today.
Ancelotti salutes Madrid's 'commitment and desire' following Sociedad victory
Carlo Ancelotti hailed Real Madrid's commitment and desire as they edged closer to securing the LaLiga title with a 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad.
Arda Guler scored the only goal as Los Blancos extended their lead to 14 points over second-placed Barcelona, who host Valencia in their game in hand on Monday.
The 19-year-old was making his first start since arriving from Fenerbahce, as Ancelotti rotated his squad ahead of Madrid's Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
And the Italian was pleased by the character demonstrated by his players, who stretched their winning streak to six league matches.
"It was clear that everyone thought we were coming here for a walk," he told reporters. "The only ones who didn't think so were the players. They had commitment and attitude. They had the desire and enthusiasm to keep winning.
"We have a spectacular squad. They have this attitude that they feel like they have to win every game. There are four points left to clinch the LaLiga title, and we are very close."
Guler added on Realmadrid TV: "This is the best club in the world and scoring is one of the best feelings.
"This is Real Madrid, the quality of the players is incredible. We're all always ready to play, and I think we've shown that here. I'm waiting patiently, and I'm still working hard every day."
Ancelotti's rotation meant a first start in eight months for Eder Militao, who marked his return from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee with a clean sheet.
"I've come back to play 90 minutes and I feel like a player again after many months out," the defender said.
"We have to keep winning, we know that nothing is won yet. We have a big advantage, but we have to keep doing a serious job until the end."
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