Valladolid (Spain) (AFP) - Real Madrid moved top of los angeles Liga for the primary time since October on Sunday after grinding out a 1-0 win away at Real Valladolid to form Barcelona buy their surprise defeat to Valencia.
It is 16 weeks since Madrid last finished a circus tent of the pile and it seemed like a scrappy contest at the Jose Zorilla would end goalless until Nacho Hernandez headed within the winner with 12 minutes remaining.
Victory means Zinedine Zidane's side pull three points before Barca, whose 2-0 loss away at the Mestalla on Saturday under new coach Quique Setien could prove a turning point during a nip-and-tuck title race.
"Nothing changes, we are proud of the win," said Zidane. "There are 16 games left and that we will need to fight until the top if we would like something. Nothing changes."
Madrid now have the posh of hosting their struggling city rivals Atletico Madrid, who are 10 points back after a goalless home draw with Leganes earlier on Sunday, with a cushion next weekend, to not mention on the rear of a 19-game unbeaten run.
"We are top of the table again after being there an extended time ago," said captain Sergio Ramos. "We need to keep going."
That streak included them drawing a game they arguably should have won at Camp Nou in December then lifting the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month in Saudi Arabia .
As Barcelona pursue a more entertaining sort of football under Setien, Madrid advance , gaining momentum with wins that based largely on solidity and a stubborn defence.
"Defensively what we do we do alright , it's our strength," said Zidane.
Their form has been even more impressive given the absence of key players, with Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale starting only fourfold together this season.
- Real advance -
Real Valladolid, who are owned by the previous Brazil and Real Madrid striker Ronaldo, are being drawn into a relegation fight after winning just one of their last 12. They stay 16th, five points above rock bottom three.
Valladolid's Joaquin Fernandez was lucky to not be sent off early for a two-footed challenge on Rodrygo, which only earned him a yellow card, despite the protests of Madrid's players.
Casemiro thought he had scored when he nodded in at the rear post but VAR showed him to possess been just offside and Valladolid arguably finished the primary half the stronger.
Thibaut Courtois made an honest save to deny Michel then had to backpeddle to stop Raul Garcia's cross dropping in under his crossbar.
After a scrappy opening 45 minutes, Madrid improved within the playing period because the lively Rodrygo tested Jordi Masip and Benzema twice should have scored.
First, he did not volley in a superb Isco cross from close range then rose high to satisfy Rodrygo's delivery but headed wide of the post.
Valladolid were retreating and, within the 78th minute, Madrid struck. Toni Kroos' corner was cleared back bent him and at the second time of asking, he picked out Nacho, who diverted a sensible header into the far corner.
Nacho ran over to Zidane on the touchline to hug his coach.
There was a late siege as Valladolid came again within the final minutes, the stadium erupting after Sergi Guardiola tapped in at the rear post. But his outstretched right foot was offside, and Madrid breathed a sigh of relief.
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