Isco double hands Real Madrid victory

Isco scored twice as Real Madrid reduced the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to seven points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Espanyol on a day where football was dragged into violent political clashes in Catalonia.

Barca had earlier extended their perfect start in La Liga to seven games in extraordinary circumstances as they beat Las Palmas 3-0 behind closed doors at the 99,000 capacity Camp Nou following the police crackdown over an independence vote deemed illegal by the Spanish government.

At least 91 people were injured as Spanish riot police fired rubber bullets and forced their way into activist-held polling stations.

Following La Liga’s refusal to abandon the match, Barca decided to play behind closed doors as a means of protest.

The political tension also bubbled over at the Santiago Bernabeu where Real fans waved Spanish flags and sang ‘Viva Espana’ (long live Spain).

On the field there was far less conflict as Real eased to an 11th consecutive win over Barcelona-based Espanyol for their first home league win of the season.

Valencia’s great start under Marcelino Garcia Toral’s tutelage continued with a thrilling 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao.

Simeone Zaza and Dani Parejo’s penalty gave the hosts a 2-0 half-time lead.

Aritz Aduriz reduced the arrears for Athletic, who have now gone six games without a win.

Rodrigo restored Valencia’s two-goal cushion before Raul Garcia’s late consolation.

The game of the day was undoubtedly at Anoeta where Real Sociedad and Real Betis drew 4-4.