- Bellingham missed out on a spot in the starting 11 for the first time this season
- Brahim netted just before half time before Joselu kept up his fine form for Madrid
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Jude Bellingham was left out for the first time this season but Real Madrid didn’t suffer against strugglers Las Palmas winning 2-0.
Bellingham was joined on the bench by the fit again Vinicius and the Brazilian came on for the last half hour but the job was already done.
It was Brahim Diaz who took Bellingham’s place at the top of the midfield diamond which Carlo Ancelotti defended in the build up to the game despite the way it failed to shine in the Madrid derby.
And he scored the first before Joselu made it two. The big centre-forward was left out of the Madrid derby but on his fourth home start he scored his fourth goal to put the result beyond doubt.
The prolific Bellingham watched as Real Madrid failed to make early inroads. They dominated but Joselu missed their first chance on 20 minutes when he was found by Antonio Rudiger’s pass.
Real Madrid moved to the top of LaLiga as forward Joselu kept up his fine form in scoring again
Jude Bellingham was named as a substitute for Madrid for the first time since joining the club
Joselu then played Brahim through but his first touch was heavy and Alvaro Valles came out to save, catching the forward with his follow through and bringing a half-hearted penalty appeal.
Brahim was played in again a moment later but he shot woefully wide and was saved by the raised offside flag.
Nacho then tested Valles but the keeper saved and he then batted away another Joselu effort. Just before the break he saved again from Joselu this time with his feet. There was apparently no way past the Las Palmas keeper.
Brahim Diaz scored his side’s second goal on the game in the second half of the game in Madrid on Wednesday
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are looking to regain the LaLiga title after missing out to rivals Barcelona last season
It had been a frustrating first half and there was a further set-back when David Alaba hobbled off and Lucas Vazquez came on with Nacho moving to centre-back.
And it was the substitute Lucas who crossed from the right picking out Brahim who took a touch and then converted into the roof of the net to send Madrid in 1-0 up at the break.
Joselu finally scored after those first half misses heading in Rodrygo’s cross to double Madrid’s advantage on 54 minutes. Vinicius came on at the hour mark and there were some magic touches but Madrid already had the three points – enough to take them above Barcelona but not top.
Kicking off at the same time Girona beat Villarreal and are looking down on the rest after seven games played.
