Getafe 0-2 Real Madrid: Joselu double sees Los Blancos defeat local rivals to go top

Spanish forward Joselu scored twice in Real Madrid's 2-0 win over local rivals Getafe on Thursday, propelling them back to the top of LaLiga, two points ahead of surprise package Girona.

Real had a game in hand after their match against Getafe was postponed due to the Spanish Super Cup, and they seized the opportunity to reclaim first place with a strong performance.

They dominated from the start, with Joselu scoring a towering header off Dani Carvajal's cross in the 14th minute to put the visitors ahead.

He had a great opportunity to extend Real's lead in the 38th minute, but his shot was saved one-handed by goalkeeper David Soria.

Real manager Carlo Ancelotti suffered another setback when centre back Antonio Rudiger did not return after the break due to a leg injury, adding to the absence of regulars such as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defenders David Alaba and Eder Militao.

Mason Greenwood almost levelled for Getafe in the 51st minute, but his strike from the edge of the box hit the post.

Five minutes later, Joselu extended Real's lead by slotting home a low strike assisted by a fine pass from Vinicius Junior.

He could have completed his hat-trick when he burst through after a quick counter-attack, but instead he attempted to set up Vinicius, who chipped the ball directly at Soria from close range.

Soria made fine saves on Federico Valverde and Vinicius, and Getafe could have cut the deficit after Borja Mayoral took advantage of a mistake, but Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin saved brilliantly to deflect his point-blank strike onto the post.

Real moved to 57 points, two ahead of Girona and ten ahead of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. The leaders face Atletico on Sunday and Girona six days later in games that will be critical in the LaLiga title race.

"If we win the next two games we will have six more points and that will be good," Ancelotti told a press conference.

"Let's hope we can count on Rudiger (for Sunday's derby), I think he can recover. We have two days to try to get him back, it's a strong blow to the thigh."

SportsLigue