Real Madrid kept the pressure on Barcelona at the top of LaLiga after a late goal from Marcelo secured a 2-1 win over Valencia at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo headed Real into the lead on 27 minutes, but then saw his second-half penalty saved.

It looked to have proved a costly miss when Valencia midfielder Dani Parejo drilled in a superb free-kick to equalise with just eight minutes left.

However, Real had the final say when Brazilian defender Marcelo cut inside to curl the ball into the bottom corner and claim what could yet prove to be a crucial three points in the title race with Barcelona.

Andy West delivers his ratings, MOTM and verdict…

Real Madrid

Navas 6/10

Carvajal 7

Nacho 6

Ramos 6

Marcelo 8

Modric 6

Casemiro 6

Kroos 7

James 6

Benzema 5

Ronaldo 6

Subs:

Vazquez 6

Asensio 6

Morata 5

Valencia

Alves 8/10

Montoya 6

Garay 7

Mangala 6

Lato 6

Parejo 7

Soler 6

Munir 6

Orellana 5

Nani 5

Mina 6

Subs: 

Rodrigo 6

Gaya n/a

Bakkali n/a

 

Man of the match (Marcelo)

Thank goodness for Marcelo. After creating both his team’s goals in last weekend’s defeat to Barcelona, the Brazilian went one better by registering a superb winning goal, underlining his strong claim to being the world’s best attacking full-back…and maybe even a Ballon d’Or contender.

Verdict:

Once again, Real Madrid retold the story of their season by sneaking a vital victory with a late winner despite not playing particularly well. At this stage of the season, performances are more important than results in La Liga, but Madrid will surely struggle to get past near-neighbours Atletico in the Champions League without a distinct improvement. Zinedine Zidane will be under intensified pressure to shake up his supposed strongest team, with Karim Benzema especially struggling.