Joselu brace sends Madrid top at Getafe
Joselu struck twice as Real Madrid strolled into first place in La Liga with a comfortable 2-0 win at Getafe on Thursday.
Carlo Ancelotti's side are two points clear of shock title challengers Girona after a catch-up fixture which means both sides have played 22 matches.
Striker Joselu, on loan from Espanyol, headed Madrid in front in the first half and finished lethally early in the second to put his team in command against their mid-table opposition.
The Spanish Super Cup champions created various other chances but could not widen the scoreline in the derby clash a few kilometres south of the Spanish capital.
Madrid lead rivals Atletico Madrid, third, and Barcelona, fourth, by 10 points. They face Diego Simeone's Atletico on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"(Joselu) is doing everything he needs to stay here, he's doing spectacularly," said Ancelotti. "It's a blessing to have a player with this quality - he's a very humble, serious person, we're all delighted with him."
Madrid's coach said the team is in good shape ahead of the business end of the season. "The team is motivated, fighting, we managed this game well, which was not easy," he added.
Joselu and Vinicius Junior threatened in the opening stages before Madrid took the lead. Lucas Vazquez, starting at right-back to give Dani Carvajal a rest, swung over a cross which Spain international Joselu nodded home while easily holding off his marker.
The target man started in place of Rodrygo as Ancelotti shuffled his pack ahead of the Madrid derby.