Bale’s back and Real are back on top
Gareth Bale started for Real Madrid for the first time since October 5 – and immediately helped them regain top spot in La Liga.
The Welsh wizard showed boss Zinedine Zidane just what he had been missing during his absence as he lit up the first half in a 2-1 win over Alaves.
Bale came closest to scoring when his header from Isco’s cross hit the post before Sergio Ramos headed home in 52 minutes.
But five minutes after Scotland star Oliver Burke came on as a sub for the Basques on the hour, Ramos fouled former Newcastle man Joselu in the box and ex-Arsenal striker Lucas Perez levelled.
However, Dani Carvajal snatched victory for Real four minutes later as they moved three points clear of Barcelona, who face Atletico Madrid tonight.
Borussia Dortmund wrecked Jurgen Klinsmann’s hopes of a win in his first game in charge of Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga as England star Jadon Sancho and Thorgan Hazard sealed a 2-1 win.
Vladimir Darida pulled one back in the 34th minute but Hertha couldn’t get back on terms, despite Mats Hummel s’ 45th-minute red card.
Kinsmann’s old team Bayern Munich slumped to a shock 2-1 home defeat to 10-man Beyer Leverkusen.
Leon Bailley’s first-half double proved the difference, despite Jonathan Tah’s red card and Thomas Muller’s equaliser.
RB Leipzig held off a strong fightback by Paderborn to go top. Patrik Schick, Marcel Sabitzer and Timo Werner had Leipzig cruising after 26 minutes but they were made to sweat after Streli Mamba and Klaus Gjasula struck for Pederborn.