31.1.18

Las Palmas entertain the mighty Real Madrid looking for some much needed points after their nearest rivals Levante, who sit above the relegation drop zone, opened up a 7 point gap after managing a draw earlier in the day.

A lively start by the home team and with 3mins gone they win the first corner of the match.

One minute later Calleri finds himself in a good position, on the edge of the box, but his shot is just wide.

Madrid take their first shot on 6mins but Bale shoots high and wide.

A quick break from the home team finds Halilovic who gets a good run to the edge of the box and then produces a good shot, but well stopped by the Madrid keeper.
A good chance follows for Madrid with Benzema’s shot is well saved by Chichizola in the home goal.

23 mins gone and Madrid produce the best chance of the game so far, Las Palmas lose the ball in midfield and a quick break by Madrid but again a fine save by Chichizola.

On 26 mins Bale breaks straight down the left wing, after a good ball by Modric his left shot goes straight into the top corner. 1-0 Madrid.

In the 38th minute a trip on Lucas for Madrid and the player goes down just inside the box and the referee awards a dubious penalty. Benzema slots the ball home, 2-0 Madrid.

HT Las Palmas 0 Real Madrid 2

The Half Time Verdict – a good start to the half by the home team and they created a couple of good chances but both times they saw their shot go just wide.

Then some sloppy play from LP let in Madrid’s ex Saint, Gareth Bale, who produced an excellent finished. The penalty looked a soft goal to give away. Las Palmas have a lot of work to do to get back into this match. I can see Madrid letting them have plenty of position in the 2nd half but they will look to catch Las Palmas on the break.

Just 2mins in and a chance to Benzema after a good ball from Bale.

Then on 51 mins another poor decision by the ref; Bale goes to shoot after a cross from the left and his foot makes contact with the Navarro, defending for Las Palmas. Both players feet make contact, with Navarro trying to block the shot. The ball goes wide but the ref gives another penalty. Bale suddenly gets up after rolling around in pain and bangs the ball in. Las Palmas 0 – Real Madrid 3

59 mins gone, Madrid have another good break with Benzema setting up Bale for his hat-trick, but a great block, from Galvez, denies him.

7mins later two more good chances for Madrid to make it four but somehow Benzema misses from 3 yards out

A minute after that the Madrid keeper loses possession of the ball to Sub Erik Exposito but somehow Erik shoots wide with just the keeper to beat.

Then follows yet another poor refereeing display, some good play by Mono, his cross finding Calleria whose header is pushed over the top of the bar but somehow the referee gives a goal kick. This really upsets the home crowd and they let their feelings be known to the ref who, in my eyes, is having a nightmare!!!

On 86 and 87 mins two more very good chances for Madrid but both times the final ball is over hit.

Full Time : Las Palmas 0 Real Madrid 3

The Verdict of The Saint – Las Palmas were looking to get back into the game but they left big gaps at the back for Madrid to exploit into in the second half.

Madrid should have won by more in the end, if they had taken their chances. With so many star players missing for Madrid, as they were being rested before their ¼ final match in the Champions League next week, Las Palmas failed to deliver the same performance they produced against Barca a few weeks ago.

A massive 6 pointer coming up next Sunday away at Levante, if Las Palmas don’t get a win there, then I’m afraid it will be the end of their journey in La Liga and relegation will unfortunately be assured. The gap would then be 10 points with only 7 games left.

Next home game: Saturday 14th April KO 17.30
Real Sociedad. PIO PIO