Aurelien Tchouameni’s towering header earned Real Madrid a late 2-1 victory at Las Palmas and despatched them high of La Liga on Saturday. Las Palmas took the lead by Javier Munoz early within the second half however Madrid got here again with Vinicius Junior levelling earlier than Tchouameni’s winner, on his birthday. Carlo Ancelotti’s facet lead Girona by two factors on the high of the desk with 21 video games performed every, though the Catalan minnows go to Celta Vigo on Sunday and might reclaim high spot.

Champions Barcelona, third, host Villarreal later Saturday, needing a victory to keep away from dropping floor on Los Blancos after their comeback in Gran Canaria.

Ancelotti introduced on Tchouameni simply three minutes earlier than he scored the profitable objective.

“I look at the bench and I have chances to change the dynamic,” the Italian coach informed reporters.

“It’s a tool that we have, with such a motivated bench, they bring a lot when they come on.”

Madrid had been with out main goalscorer Jude Bellingham, suspended, changed by Brahim Diaz, whereas Ancelotti additionally handed Dani Ceballos a uncommon begin in midfield.

In a primary half of few possibilities, Las Palmas left-back Sergi Cardona was the largest supply of hazard.

The defender was calmly clipped by Dani Ceballos within the space however the referee didn’t level to the spot, and Cardona smashed narrowly over a couple of minutes later.

Vinicius had a few off-target efforts for Madrid on the different finish however Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles went largely untroubled.

Promoted Las Palmas, eighth, have exceeded expectations underneath former Barcelona reserves coach Francisco Garcia Pimienta, and for big durations they gave Madrid nearly as good as they acquired.

It was a conflict between the division’s greatest two defences however the stalemate was damaged early within the second half.

Munoz completed a neat counter-attack after Kirian Rodriguez freed Sandro Ramirez down the suitable with a well-judged cross.

The former Barcelona ahead crossed for Munoz, whose low effort deflected in off Nacho Fernandez.

Dani Carvajal had a objective dominated out for offside earlier than Vinicius levelled for Madrid.

The Brazilian fired an excellent likelihood over the bar however redeemed himself by levelling within the sixty fifth minute.

Eduardo Camavinga chipped a cross over the defence for Vinicius, who drilled previous Valles from a good angle.

Ancelotti, chasing a winner, despatched on Turkish attacker Arda Guler for his La Liga debut and match-winner Tchouameni.

The French midfielder netted solely his second objective for the membership with an excellent header from Toni Kroos‘ nook with six minutes remaining.

Madrid have taken full benefit of set items in La Liga, with this simply the most recent in a string of objectives from corners they’ve scored this season.

“We have to be proud, we competed, congratulations to Real Madrid,” mentioned Las Palmas midfielder Munoz.

“They went behind and we knew they would come forward, we sat deeper, as a result, and they reacted.”

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