Madrid: Real Madrid earned a narrow 1-0 win against local rivals Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez courtesy of Sergio Ramos' solitary strike on Saturday evening, to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to 10 points.
Sergio Ramos scored with a bullet header in the 18th minute in what was to prove the only goal of the game to help his side build up a hefty lead over Barcelona, who entertain Real Sociedad later.
The home side made a bright start to proceedings and could have gained the lead in the third minute. Juan Valera's cross into the box was cushioned into the path of Abdelaziz Barrada by Javier Casquero, with the French-born midfielder blazing the ball over the bar from 10 yards out.
However, Madrid soon began to take control of the encounter and grabbed the lead in the 18th minute. Mesut Ozil's precise corner found the head of an unmarked Sergio Ramos who saw his powerful effort fly into the top corner, leaving Miguel Angel Moya helpless - Ramos' fourth goal of the season and Ozil's 11th Liga assist of the current campaign.
Jose Mourinho's men continued to dominate possession, yet for all of their time on the ball, they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in the first-half, although Cristiano Ronaldo did sting the palms of the goalkeeper in the 35th minute with a fierce free kick from the edge of the box.
Three minutes later, and it was Getafe's turn to come close to scoring from a set-piece. Casquero's ball found the head of Juan Rodriguez, who saw his effort flicked just wide of goal from Miku as the hosts headed into the break 1-0 down.
Both sides made a slow start to the second period but the visitors should have doubled their lead in the 62nd minute. Ozil slid a delightful through pass to Karim Benzema, however the France international saw his strike well-blocked by Moya to keep his side in the encounter.
Despite not being anywhere near their best, Madrid looked like the only side in the encounter and nearly added an elusive second goal in the 78th minute when Xabi Alonso found substitute Gonzalo Higuain in space. The Argentine cut infield before smashing a powerful effort towards the corner of the goal, yet Moya once more pulled off a terrific stop.
The away team did find the net again in the 89th minute when Ronaldo sweeped the ball home following Jose Callejon's pass, only for the referee to correct rule the strike offside, and the game ended with Madrid holding on to their slender lead, picking up all three points in the process.
Next up for Mourinho's men is a home encounter versus Levante on February 12 while Getafe travel to Rayo Vallecano the same day.
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