Karim Benzema drives Real Madrid to win over Eibar

Karim Benzema inspired Real Madrid to a comprehensive 4-1 win over Eibar, putting Zinedine Zidane’s side top of La Liga - at least until Barcelona play later this evening.

The French striker scored twice, contributed an assist and created another as Real put a difficult week, which saw them draw at home to Las Palmas and relinquish top spot, behind them with a comfortable victory.

Real took the lead after just 14 minutes and never looked back from that point on, adding a second and a third within 30 minutes. Marco Asensio and James Rodriguez also impressed, with the former adding his name to the scoresheet after an hour.

Eibar grabbed a consolation goal to spoil Real Madrid’s clean sheet, but it did nothing to change the dynamic of the match as the visitors left with three points to put them back at the top of the pile for the time being.

Will Marco Asensio and James Rodriguez feature more after this display? Benzema was the star man for Real Madrid, but the performances of Marco Asensio and James Rodriguez will have caught the eye of Zinedine Zidane. Both players have fallen out of favour over the past few weeks and months, but this display showed that they have something to offer, especially with Real Madrid starting to feel the effects of fatigue.

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid): Just when the consensus was that Alvaro Morata had nailed down the number nine spot in Zidane’s side, Benzema turns in a performance like this. Morata was missing through suspension and the French striker certainly made the most of his opportunity, scoring twice and contributing an assist. Everything Real Madrid did well flowed through Benzema, as if he had been unshackled by the absence of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Eibar: Yoel 6, Ramis 5, Escalante 5, Capa 6, Enrich 6, Pena 7, Garcia 5, Dos Santos 5, Luna 5, Leon 6, Adrian 5. Subs: Arbilla 5, Inui 5, Rivera 5.

Real Madrid: Navas 6, Pepe 5, Ramos 5, Nacho 6, Danilo 5, Casemiro 7, Modric 6, Asensio 8, James 8, Vazquez 6, Benzema 9. Subs: Isco 5, Kovacic 6, Mariano 5.

14’ - GOAL! Eibar 0-1 Real Madrid: Real Madrid have the opener after 14 minutes! Asensio dragged a pass right across the face of the goal, Benzema's initial shot is saved and the Frenchman puts in the rebound under the keeper.

25’ - GOAL! Eibar 0-2 Real Madrid: Real Madrid have their second goal of the game and it's Benzema who has scored it again! He got on the end of a James delivery and knocks it into the net completely unmarked.

30’ - GOAL! Eibar 0-3 Real Madrid: There's the third goal and this game is over as a contest. It's just too easy for Real Madrid. Benzema crosses into the area and James converts on the stretch. Real are scoring every chance they create.

60’ - GOAL! Eibar 0-4 Real Madrid: Asensio gets his name on the scoresheet and Real Madrid have their fourth of the evening. Asensio plays it to James, who strikes the post, but the ball comes back to the youngster, who finds the net from a tight angle.

72’ - GOAL! Eibar 1-4 Real Madrid: The home side have clawed back a goal! The cross was sent to the back post and Pena got in front of his marker to bundle home the ball past a helpless Navas.

Eibar scored a Liga goal against Real Madrid at Ipurua for the first time ever.

Keylor Navas has already conceded 32 goals in all competitions, one more than the whole of last season (31).

Karim Benzema ended a goal drought of seven Liga games by scoring against Eibar.