Ronaldo helps Real Madrid go top of La Liga

“We have to congratulate Keylor for saving those three shots – I have no idea how he did it”, said Celta forward Nolito, while Navas’ team-mate Lucas Vázquez added: “Keylor is a team player”.

Spanish anti-corruption police are investigating match-fixing claims after an assistant referee expected to officiate El Clásico claimed he was being pressured to favour Real Madrid.

While a few media may say that Madrid are still not quite right, that narrative takes a little bit away from a Galician side that is still one of the best in La Primera this season.

Madrid’s victory in a classic encounter means it moves three points clear of Celta and Barcelona – which plays Eibar on Monday morning (AEDT) – at the top of the table.

Even though he was eventually beaten by Nolito, Navas had another outstanding performance between the posts for Madrid since taking over from club legend Iker Casillas this summer. “Not just for the results and the fact we remain unbeaten, but to reinforce the group knowing we can suffer and work hard”. “We have to be happy despite the loss”.

James Rodriguez, Daniel Carvajal and Luka Modric are still out injured, but Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Pepe are all likely to make a return; whether they will start is still unknown.

It was soon to be 2-0 as Danilo doubled their lead with an assured finish as he found space on the overlap.

Navas, who has conceded only three goals in Spain’s top flight this term, was on scintillating form in the first half and his saves from efforts by Orellana, Iago Aspas and Pablo Hernandez were out of the top drawer.

Celta were reduced to 10 men in the second half with the dismissal of Gustavo Cabral but finally managed to beat Navas in the 86th minute thanks to a magnificent strike by Nolito, only for Marcelo to stretch Madrid’s lead at the death.

However, any hope of a comeback from the hosts was extinguished when Cabral saw a stupid second yellow card for protesting towards referee Clos Gomez. The Spaniard has scored six goals in his eights league appearances for Os Celestes, sometimes singlehandedly dragging his team over the victory line.

Ruben Perez committed a ridiculous handball five minutes from time to allow Ruben Castro to level from the penalty spot.