MADRID — A Gareth Bale header and a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty gave Real Madrid a much-needed 2-0 victory over Eibar in La Liga Sunday, following its hammering by leader Barcelona last weekend, and put it six points off the top of the standings.
The Welshman notched up his first goal since the end of August when he nodded in a Luka Modric cross two minutes before half time against the small Basque club which has surprised this season and went into the game with one defeat from eight matches.
Real was made to work hard against a battling Eibar but Ronaldo secured the win with a penalty after 82 minutes following a foul by Dani Garcia on Lucas Vazquez.
The win eases the pressure on coach Rafa Benitez following defeats in La Liga against Sevilla and in the 'Clasico' last Saturday where it lost 4-0.
Third-placed Real now has 27 points from 13 games, two behind Atletico Madrid, while Barca has 33 points.
Getafe's Angel Lafita scored one goal and set up another in a 2-0 victory over misfiring Villarreal, which now has just one win in seven La Liga matches.
Villarreal has lost its way after a bright start to the season and lie sixth on 21 points, behind Deportivo La Coruna on goal difference, while Getafe are 13th and level with Rayo Vallecano on 14 points.
Roma struggles, loses to Atalanta
Five days after a humiliating 6-1 rout by Barcelona in the Champions League, Roma's defensive deficiencies were highlighted again in an alarming 2-0 loss at home to Atalanta in Serie A Sunday.
Alejandro Gomez intercepted a poor pass from Roma defender Lucas Digne to score from outside the area before halftime. Then substitute fullback Maicon was sent off for tripping Gomez to set up a penalty for German Denis eight minutes from the end.
Roma remained fourth, wasting a chance to pull level with leader Inter Milan, which visits second-place Napoli Monday.
Elsewhere, Cyril Thereau scored twice, including an 81st-minute winner, as Udinese won 3-2 at Chievo Verona; and Carpi came from behind for a 2-1 victory at 10-man Genoa with Marco Borriello scoring one goal and setting up another for former Italy international Cristian Zaccardo.
Also, Hellas Verona remained winless after a 3-2 loss at Frosinone after goalkeeper Rafael was sent off near the start for elbowing an opponent's head. — Agencies
