Marco Asensio's strike earned Real Madrid 1-0 win over dogged Espanyol

Marco Asensio's strike earned Real Madrid a 1-0 win over dogged Espanyol to send them provisionally top of La Liga on Saturday.

Marco Asensio's strike earned Real Madrid a 1-0 win over dogged Espanyol to send them provisionally top of La Liga on Saturday.

Julen Lopetegui's side was tested by the visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Borja Iglesias hitting the crossbar, but Real held on for the victory.

The hosts, who rested Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Marcelo, dominated possession but were threatened on the counter by the Catalan side who are sixth in the standings after a good start to the season.

Asensio slotted home the winner four minutes before halftime after Luka Modric's deflected pass found him on the left of the area.