Madrid grinds it out to overtake Barcelona for top spot in La Liga

MADRID - Manager Zinedine Zidane praised his Real Madrid side for rising to the challenge in Sunday's 2-1 win over Real Betis - which knocked Barcelona off the top of La Liga.

Real fell behind to an embarrassing first-half own goal by keeper Keylor Navas, but a diving header from top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo before the break and a late headed goal by captain Sergio Ramos earned the points at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Real tops the standings with 62 points, two above Barcelona. Barca floundered in a stunning 2-1 loss at struggling Deportivo La Coruna four days after the Catalans' epic 6-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain took them into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Zidane's side also has a game in hand on Barca and third-place Sevilla in its bid for a first Liga title since 2012.

"We didn't have it all our own way and that's normal, but I am happy," said Madrid boss Zidane.

"We must congratulate all the players because we had to be patient, the result was fair even if it didn't all go our way for the whole game.

"They (Betis) played most of the game in their own half, they defended well and caused us problems on the counter attack, but we're happy with the result because it wasn't easy.

"The pressure was on us but it doesn't end here, there's still a lot to play for and we know that."

Betis was the third team in four games to take the lead against Real after Las Palmas and Napoli. On each occasion Zidane's side got back in the game with a goal from a set piece.

"I'd be more relaxed if we went two or three goals up at the start of every game, but this is just the way things go," the Frenchman said.

"We know that we're capable of scoring at any time. Today we showed patience when the going got tough and we kept our heads.

"We know that we're a threat from set pieces, but I'd like us to score more goals from open play."

Zidane also backed Navas after Real fans booed the keeper, who turned a soft Antonio Sanabria shot into his own net and earlier was fortunate not to be sent off for upending Darko Brasanac.

"Everyone makes mistakes, they're part of the game and everyone supported him in the dressing room at half time," said Zidane.

"Keylor has a big personality and he made a great stop at the end. He made up for the mistake and made sure we got all three points."

Earlier, Barcelona boss Luis Enrique accepted his side had struggled to shrug off the euphoria of their remarkable Champions League comeback against PSG as the Spanish champion looked slow and lethargic at Deportivo.

A much-changed Barca side from the 6-1 PSG triumph was hit by a body blow to its hopes for a third successful title with its first league loss since October.

Joselu fired Depor into a first-half lead before Luis Suarez leveled a minute after the restart.

However, Alex Bergantinos rose highest from a corner to seal the host's first victory over Barca since 2008.

"Obviously it was difficult. Only those that have experienced what we have this week knows what it means, but as professionals we know nothing is gifted to you," said Enrique.

Suarez refused to use the PSG game as an excuse.

"We let them get into the game for too long in the first half and this is what football is like, when you give a team an advantage they always punish you," he said.

"The PSG result did not cost us today, we've had enough days to recover.

"Deportivo is fighting relegation and we knew it was going to be difficult here but we're not going to give up the fight for La Liga."

Reuters