Despite having to play with just ten men for over forty minutes after Coentrao was sent packing, Real Madrid still managed to beat Espanyol by three goals to nil.
James Rodriguez scored the first, Bale curled in a 20-yard free kick and Nacho added the third and Real are now four points clear at the top of La Liga.
Málaga remain clear in seventh place after a 1-1 draw with sixth-placed Villarreal, dos Santos scoring for Villarreal and Amrabat for the home side.
Valencia were held to a 1-1 draw by Celta de Vigo. Rodrigo scored for Valencia before Orellana grabbed a second half equaliser.