Benzema turns title towards Madrid

Real Madrid striker’s form has helped Spanish giants take one point lead in La Liga

MADRID:

Eden Hazard and Luis Suarez were both circled as potential deciders of La Liga's title race when the season resumed but few looked at Karim Benzema.

Lionel Messi was expected to be formidable again and there was excitement even around Gareth Bale following reports from Valdebebas he was the fittest Real Madrid player to return from lockdown.

Hazard and Suarez were returning from surgery too, handed an unexpected last shot at turning the season. If either came back at their best, it would surely tip the balance.

But Benzema was overlooked, despite 19 goals in 36 games before the three-month suspension, making him La Liga's top scorer among all players not named Messi.

In Madrid's first game back, he set up the opening goal for Toni Kroos and created two more, even if Hazard's generosity meant the assists were not officially his. Against Valencia he then scored twice, the second a sensational volley after a feathered touch past Hugo Guillamon.

It will probably be goal of the season and it was his 243rd goal for Real Madrid, moving him into fifth, above Ferenc Puskas, on the club's all-time list.

"When he scores like that I'm happy because he shuts people up a bit," said Zinedine Zidane.

After a comfortable win over Real Mallorca, Benzema banged in what turned out to be the winner against Real Sociedad and then he brought the finesse to Espanyol, where a brilliant backheel through the legs of Bernardo Espinosa teed up Casemiro.

Five superb performances from Benzema have helped thrust Real from two points behind Barcelona to a point in front, with a game in hand.