Football: Real Madrid see off Celta to return to La Liga summit

Real midfielder Marco Asensio (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring. PHOTO: AFP

MADRID (REUTERS) - Real Madrid beat an in-form Celta Vigo 2-0 at home on Saturday (Jan 2) thanks to a goal and assist apiece from Spanish pair Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio, putting the side above city rivals Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.

The win took the Spanish champions to the summit on 36 points, one ahead of second-placed Atletico who have three games in hand and on Sunday visit Alaves.

Real were smarting from a surprise 1-1 draw at struggling Elche in their last match but got off to an ideal start thanks to a towering header from Vazquez, who out-jumped two Celta defenders to power home a cross from Asensio.

Vazquez returned the favour early in the second half to tee up Asensio after Madrid had recovered the ball high in Celta's half.

Zinedine Zidane's side comfortably saw out the victory, ending Celta's unbeaten run of six games under new coach Eduardo Coudet.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.