An early change for Deportivo as ex-Real Madrid man Pedro Mosquera is going off with what looks like a hamstring injury. Expósito comes on in his place.

And we're back under way.

A dominant half of football for Real Madrid in the end, despite having to come from behind.

Image source, .

And that's half time.

Real looking good for their first La Liga win of 2018.

If Deportivo had kept it level until half time I might have fancied them to get something from this game but hard to see Real giving up this lead now.

Alex McIver Arranz: Great goal by @GarethBale11, external but I can’t understand the gloves... 17 degrees and sunny in Madrid today. He’s forgotten what real winters are like.

Deportivo have had long spells of having to defend but when they attack they do so with confidence. They don't look at all like a side struggling in the relegation zone.

Gareth Bale almost finds Borja Mayoral with a knockdown but Fabian Schär is alert to the danger and hooks away before the Real Madrid forward can strike.

Luka Modric flicks a header at Ruben as Real Madrid come forward again. Zinedine Zidane's side have really upped the tempo.

Ruben is again called upon Marcelo weaves his way into the box and shoots hard and low. The Deportivo gets a hand to the ball, taking the sting out of it before it bounces back off the post.

What a save!

Real Madrid are cranking up the pressure as Marcelo delivers a ball to the far post, Cristiano Ronaldo rises to meet it and directs a header that looks certain to dip in under the bar until Ruben superbly tips over.

Better from the hosts.

Real Madrid have not finished outside the top four in La Liga since 2000. Lose this game and they will be one point behind Villarreal with a game in hand.

Marcelo attempts to provide a response with a first time volley. He hits it well but just wide of the far post.

Luka Modric tries to pick out Cristiano Ronaldo on the left but his pass has too much pace and Ronaldo can't keep it in play despite his best efforts. Ronaldo stick a thumb up in the direction of Modric, but that was a poor ball in truth.

Vital interception by Casemiro, putting his foot on the ball as Deportivo break into the Real Madrid area through Florin Andone.

The visitors will be happy with how they have started this game. Real have only really had one decent opportunity.

Nice move by Deportivo as the ball is worked out wide to Adrian Lopez. He gets to the edge of the area and waits for support. It arrives in the shape of Pedro Mosquera but his first-time effort is straight at Keylor Navas.

John McEnerney: Mental & physical fatigue after 2yrs of winning the CL in a row, motivation, too many youngsters brought in, injuries & lost faith in ZZ plenty of excuses there which 4 top pros are inexcusable. To drop CR7 may not be a bad idea but once he clicks he’ll bang in goals

Arsenal striker Lucas Perez is in the Deportivo side today. He has scored as many La Liga goals (four) as Cristiano Ronaldo this season.

Not seen anything of him yet in this game with Real Madrid dominating possession.