Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia: Los Blancos are now just 5 points behind league leaders Barcelona.

Real Madrid take the three points with a comfortable 2-0 win over Valenica at the Santiago Bernebeau.

Valencia had their moments in the opening 20 minutes but then fell out of the game entirely as Real took control.

Gabriel Paulista put in an excellent 70 minutes at centre back but his frustration showed late on as he was sent off for a truly awful challenge on his countryman Vinicius Jr.

The home side looked off the pace in the first half and never really got up to their brilliant best, but a moment of brilliance from Marco Asensio gave them the lead and Vinicius doubled the lead in his 200th Real appearance to put the game to bed.

Dani Ceballos and Luka Modric both produced bits of magic throughout the game without really taking it by the scruff of the neck.

The only concerns for Real will be injuries to Karim Benzema and Eder Militao, as they narrowed the gap to league leaders Barcelona to five points.

"The second half was a bit simpler, we had more energy on the pitch.

Vinicius had more chances in the second half, they trapped him well in the first half.

The team is solid. Madrid has a great individual quality. Keeping a clean sheet is very important. We will have success that starts with a good defence.

Camavinga surprises me because he hasn't played a lot there. He does well with Vinicius on the left. He is very strong 1vs1 in defence; he doesn't like it much but we do!

Militão won't be back for Sunday." said Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

The LaLiga champions climbed to 45 points in second place in the standings, five behind leaders Barcelona. Valencia, who fired manager Gennaro Gattuso on Wednesday, are on a five-game winless streak and are 14th on 20 points, one clear of the relegation zone.

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was happy with the clean sheet and said he's seen improvement in the team's defence as they try to close the gap to leaders Barcelona.

"We've now kept three clean sheets in a row. But I'd have preferred to concede the other day and win , the most important thing is always the three points," Courtois said.