Some magic play by Marco Asensio, a spin and backheel, *swoons* finds Isco but his 20-yard shot is saved by Diego Lopez.

No Cristiano Ronaldo to monopolise the free-kicks, but Isco doesn't take his chance to shine. His effort is well over the bar.

Isco's cross is deflected to Gareth Bale - he shoots and Victor Sanchez throws himself at the ball. The ball strikes the Espanyol's player arm, which is on the ground, but was it intentional? Referee says no, Bale says yes. Referee wins obviously.

Sergi Darder brings down Isco, who then gets Pablo Piatti's accidental knee to the back of his head. The Real man is angry but no punishment.

Gareth Bale lunges in on Sergi Darder and earns the first booking of the night.

Gareth Bale picks out Isco, who passes to Marcos Llorente, one of those youngsters you discover is actually 23, and he drags his shot well wide from just outside the box.

Espanyol have actually had four shots to Real's three - but they haven't done much else bar that. 71-29 are the possession stats.

I'm seeing a lot of pictures of snowy pitches across Britain and Ireland today - but no such worries at Espanyol's ground - it's about 3C in Barcelona.

Sadiq Abubakar: You can only judge Bale on time spent on the pitch. He has not only won silverware but played significant roles in all campaigns.

Ope: who defines how successful British players are at the Bernabeu? The partisan Madrid media! Ask McManaman, Beckham, Owen and Woodgate!!

McL: Failure....three Champions Leagues, a League title and a Copa Del Rey. Should have stayed at Tottenham to put the pressure on tbh

Well it's half cleared.

Carlos Sanchez tries a 35-yard shot which lands to team-mate Gerard Moreno, who controls, turns and finishes. The whistle immediately goes for offside. Not sure it would have been going in without him though.

Espanyol winger Pablo Piatti wins a free-kick. It's 35 yards out so this would be ambitious.

They decide to just play it into the box and it's cleared.

Best chance of the game - and it's fallen to Espanyol striker Gerard Moreno. A Real defender clears the ball straight to Carlos Sanchez, who heads it to Moreno.

The frontman is about 10 yards out and tries to place the ball across Keylor Navas, who is able to save with his leg.

The referee says goal-kick. Moreno isn't happy as it definitely came off the keeper.

Real have had 70% of the ball so far, but only two shots to Espanyol's one.

Espanyol fans applause - as they always do - in the 21st minute for Daniel Jarque, their former captain and number 21, who died at the age of 26 in 2009.

Plenty of good Real Madrid passing, much of it involving Isco, but they can't find a way through and eventually concede a free-kick.

Ooof. Espanyol have their first shot - Aaron Martin crosses from the left, Pablo Piatti finds some space but his ambitious first-time side-footed volley is well over the bar.

Dave Wood: Over 60 games missed through injury tells its own story

Another Real corner as Marco Asensio's deflected cross is punched over the bar by Diego Lopez.

This corner goes close to creating a goal as Raphael Varane's header bounces just past the post.

Corner to Real Madrid. Sergio Ramos comes forward...

But it's played short and when the ball comes in, it's cleared.

Espanyol have lost their last nine games in La Liga against Real Madrid, their worst run against any team.

Image source, Reuters

Anwaar Mujtaba: It'll depend from which angle you are looking at it? If we compare him against other British exports then surely he is successful. But judging by what was expected of him, as he was said to heir to the CR7 throne, he failed. So 50/50 for me.