A Karim Benzema goal has eased the pressure on Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane as they moved level on points with Athletic Bilbao at the top of Spain's La Liga with a 1-0 win at Sevilla.
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Benzema's second-half header settled a tight encounter at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan as Real bounced back from Wednesday's heavy Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
The result, which put Real on 11 points alongside table-topping Bilbao, inflicted a first loss on Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked by Real 11 months ago.
Pressure had increased on Frenchman Zidane before the trip to Andalusia after last season's struggles and a low-key start this term were followed by a miserable 3-0 defeat in the French capital.
Substitute Javier Hernandez thought he had salvaged a late draw for the hosts but his deft finish was correctly ruled out for offside as Real held on.
Bilbao had moved top earlier on Sunday after extending their unbeaten start to five games by beating Basque rivals Alaves 2-0.
Raul Garcia's penalty gave Athletic a half-time lead at San Mames before Iker Muniain sealed the points 18 minutes from time to extend the visitors' winless run to four games.
Real Sociedad, like Sevilla, are a point off the top spot after Willian Jose scored twice in their 3-1 victory at Espanyol.
Brazilian forward Jose gave Socieded a two-goal half-time lead and, after a Joseba Zaldua own goal halved the home side's deficit, Alexander Isak sealed the three points 15 minutes from time.
Bottom club Leganes picked up their first point of the campaign by battling back to draw 1-1 at Valencia - amid home fans' protests against club owner Peter Lim for his recent decision to sack the team's popular coach Marcelino.
Valencia went ahead through Daniel Parejo's 21st-minute penalty but Oscar levelled the contest 10 minutes before the break to deny Albert Celades a first league win as coach.
Elsewhere, Getafe were 4-2 victors against Real Mallorca thanks to an own goal from Iddrisu Baba, Jorge Molina's penalty and strikes from Allan Nyom and Angel.
Ante Budimir's quickfire double briefly gave newly-promoted Mallorca hope by reducing the scoreline to 3-2 but the visitors' winless run extended to four games.
Australian Associated Press
