Real Madrid 1-0 Granada CF

Karim Benzema made it four goals in as many games

Karim Benzema headed in Real Madrid's winning goal against Granada as Cristiano Ronaldo was left waiting to break the club's goalscoring record.

Ronaldo, 30, needed a hat-trick to overtake Raul's record of 323 goals, but he has only scored in one of four La Liga games this season.

Real were grateful to Benzema, who made it four goals in as many games when he nodded in a second-half Isco free-kick.

Rafa Benitez's side went above leaders Barcelona, who host Levante on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo had scored eight goals in his previous two games

Real were without injured forwards Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez as well as defenders Sergio Ramos and Danilo, but they are still to concede a goal this season under former Liverpool boss Benitez.

Goalkeeper Keylor Navas has now kept a club record five successive clean sheets after Madrid had tried to include him in a deal involving Manchester United's David de Gea, which fell through.

Navas said: "I had the chance to stay where I wanted to be and I will give it my all to remain here.

"It was complicated because you know it is an awkward situation. But that is the past and I try to focus on the present, which is all that matters."

Real had scored 15 times in their previous three games and last season beat Granada 9-1 at the Bernabeu Stadium when Ronaldo scored five times.

They again created numerous chances with Ronaldo enjoying opportunities either side of the break to close in on Raul's tally.

Goalkeeper Andres Fernandez denied the Portugal international with a number of fine saves but was unable to prevent Granada's first away defeat of the season.

Elsewhere, former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres came off the bench to make one goal and score another as Atletico Madrid won 2-0 at Eibar to move above Barcelona into second place and within a point of Real at the top of the table.

Valencia drew 0-0 with Real Betis and although David Moyes' Real Sociedad scored their first goals of the season they are still without a win following a 3-2 home defeat by Espanyol.