<p>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />At least 91 people were injured as Spanish riot police fired rubber bullets and forced their way into activist-held polling stations.<br /><br />Following La Liga’s refusal to abandon the match, Barca decided to play behind closed doors as a means of protest.<br /><br />The political tension also bubbled over at the Santiago Bernabeu where Real fans waved Spanish flags and sang ‘Viva Espana’ (long live Spain).<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Valencia’s great start under Marcelino Garcia Toral’s tutelage continued with a thrilling 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao.<br /><br />Simeone Zaza and Dani Parejo’s penalty gave the hosts a 2-0 half-time lead.<br /><br />Aritz Aduriz reduced the arrears for Athletic, who have now gone six games without a win.<br /><br />Rodrigo restored Valencia’s two-goal cushion before Raul Garcia’s late consolation.<br /><br />The game of the day was undoubtedly at Anoeta where Real Sociedad and Real Betis drew 4-4.</p>
<p>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />At least 91 people were injured as Spanish riot police fired rubber bullets and forced their way into activist-held polling stations.<br /><br />Following La Liga’s refusal to abandon the match, Barca decided to play behind closed doors as a means of protest.<br /><br />The political tension also bubbled over at the Santiago Bernabeu where Real fans waved Spanish flags and sang ‘Viva Espana’ (long live Spain).<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Valencia’s great start under Marcelino Garcia Toral’s tutelage continued with a thrilling 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao.<br /><br />Simeone Zaza and Dani Parejo’s penalty gave the hosts a 2-0 half-time lead.<br /><br />Aritz Aduriz reduced the arrears for Athletic, who have now gone six games without a win.<br /><br />Rodrigo restored Valencia’s two-goal cushion before Raul Garcia’s late consolation.<br /><br />The game of the day was undoubtedly at Anoeta where Real Sociedad and Real Betis drew 4-4.</p>