Huesca 0 Real Madrid 1: Gareth Bale on target as Los Blancos labour against La Liga's bottom side

Gareth Bale's first half volley proved enough to earn Real Madrid an unconvincing 1-0 win over Huesca on their first ever competitive visit to the Estadio El Alcoraz.

The win over La Liga’s bottom side sends Real back into the top four, five points adrift of leaders Barcelona, and two behind Sevilla and local rivals Atletico.

Solari made eight changes to the side that humbled Melilla 6-1 in the Copa Del Rey in midweek, with Isco and Marcos Asensio among those to lose their places, despite both scoring twice in that fixture.

The home side, without a win since the opening day, might have taken the lead just seven minutes in, when David Ferreiro headed wide after a clever near post flick on, but within seconds Madrid were ahead.

It was a swift counter that gave Alvaro Odriozola space down the right, and the fullback floated a deep cross to the opposite corner of the penalty area, where Bale was on hand to cushion a volley past Aleksandar Jovanovic and into the far corner.

Bale forced a decent stop for Jovanovic with a 25-yard strike, but the visitors created few clear cut openings, while Thibaut Courtois had to be alert to palm Ezequiel Ávila's effort behind.

Gonzalo Melero missed a glorious chance to equalise right after half-time, heading wide from inside six yards when it was easier to find the net.

Courtois then produced an excellent stop, tipping David Ferreiro's curling effort over the bar as Huesca swarmed all over their more esteemed opponents.

Newly crowned Ballon D'Or winner Luka Modric was hooked in place of Isco, and the Spaniard immediately pounced on a sloppy pass from Jovanovic to feed Bale, only for the 'keeper to recover and make an important block.