Benzema bags brace as Real batter Granada
Reuters - Saturday 07 January 2012, 23:15
Karim Benzema scored twice
as leaders Real Madrid swept aside promoted Granada 5-1 at the
Bernabeu to move six points clear at the top of La Liga on
Saturday.
The in-form France striker took his tally to 16 in all
competitions with the opener after 19 minutes, and also slotted
home Real's fourth goal early in the second half before limping
off with an ankle knock.
Levante stayed fourth but now have 30 points after being
held to a 0-0 draw at home by Real Mallorca. Fifth-placed
Osasuna also played out a goalless draw at Real Sociedad.
Malaga are sixth with 25 points after a 0-0 draw at home to
Atletico Madrid on an uninspiring debut for the visitors' new
coach, former Argentina captain Diego Simeone.
Atletico's Diego hit the bar in the first half but the hosts
dominated in a game with more perspiration than inspiration.
Racing Santander spoiled Manolo Jimenez's debut as Real
Zaragoza coach, winning 1-0 at home in the battle between the
financially-troubled sides who started the day at the foot of
the table.
Defender Bernardo flicked in a header from a corner on the
stroke of half-time condemning Zaragoza to a sixth straight
defeat that left them five points adrift at the bottom with 10
points.
BAD START
Granada's first visit to the Bernabeu in 36 years got off to
a bad start when Benzema, who scored the winner in the King's
Cup in midweek, netted from Mesut Ozil's flicked pass.
The visitors levelled only three minutes later, however,
when Ike Uche crossed and Mikel Rico nodded in unmarked causing
murmurs of unrest among the home fans.
Sergio Ramos ended thoughts of an upset with a header from a
corner before the break and Gonzalo Higuain made it 3-1 at the
start of the second half before Benzema controlled a long ball
in the area and fired in the fourth.
"[Benzema's injury] doesn't seem to be serious," Real
assistant coach Aitor Karanka told reporters, as he stood in for
Mourinho who had to leave due to a family problem.
"He had a knock in the first half, and he came off as a
precaution."
Cristiano Ronaldo, who had a quiet game, volleyed a fifth
goal at the end but refused to celebrate his strike.
"Ronaldo is a professional and he was angry with himself,
because things weren't coming off well for him," Karanka added.
"We know how keen he is to try and help out the team."