Last updated on .From the section European Football

Pepe's second-half header clinched a much-needed win for Real Madrid in their pursuit of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the Spanish title race.

Carlo Ancelotti's side moved within three points of the top two, despite a disjointed display against Espanyol.

Ballon d'Or favourite Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a rare off day, fluffing a first-half chance inside the six-yard box and curling wide late on.

quote Very important victory to finish the first round of games. Serious match and a well earned win

But Pepe's towering header from Luka Modric's delivery clinched a vital win.

Despite their profligacy, Los Blancos were rarely threatened by a mid-table Espanyol side and looked comfortable as they recorded their seventh straight win in all competitions.

In fact, they have not been beaten since the 2-1 reverse at Barcelona on 26 October. But the defeat at the Nou Camp, coupled with a 1-0 home loss to neighbours Atletico, has left Real playing catch up in the title race.

The third-placed side knew their trip to Espanyol was one where they could not afford to drop points after seeing Atletico hold leaders Barcelona to a goalless draw on Saturday.

Espanyol started on the front foot as they hassled Real from the kick off and could have taken a third-minute lead when Uruguayan forward Cristian Stuani headed wide.

But Madrid gradually found their rhythm after riding out the early pressure, creating all of the best goalscoring opportunities.

Ronaldo's remarkable year Andy Brassell European football expert "It has been Cristiano Ronaldo's year, and while a Ballon d'Or would be the icing on the cake, he does not need the Fifa's top player award to prove it."

Portugal forward Ronaldo, who is expected to be named the world player of the year at Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony in Switzerland, failed to cleanly connect with Karim Benzema's square pass before the France striker headed past the Espanyol post in stoppage time.

However, Real needed just 10 minutes of the second half to make their breakthrough. Portugal defender Pepe was left totally unmarked as he nodded into the far corner from Modric's deep free-kick.

World record signing Gareth Bale started his first La Liga game in almost a month after a calf injury, but barely featured before being substituted with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Real continued to press, without being seriously tested at the other end, only for Ronaldo to miss two more clearcut opportunities.

Firstly, the 28-year-old was denied by a superb one-handed save from Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, before delicately bending wide with the home goal gaping.