Remarkable Ronaldo puts Madrid ten points clear

Real Madrid CF were once again left thankful for the remarkable Cristiano Ronaldo after battling back from behind to defeat Levante UD 4-2.

Madrid are now ten points clear of FC Barcelona at the head of the Liga after their perennial rivals suffered a 3-2 reverse against CA Osasuna on Saturday. The capital club did not always look destined to extend their lead into double figures, however, as Gustavo Cabral gave Levante an unexpected fifth-minute lead.

The result hinged on Vicente Iborra's dismissal on 43 minutes, with Ronaldo drawing José Mourinho's team level from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time. The Portugal forward wrapped up his sixth Liga hat-trick of the season with a header and splendid shot within 12 minutes of the restart, before Karim Benzema completed the scoring after Arouna Koné had briefly restored hope for the visitors.

Eight points adrift of Barcelona in third are Valencia CF following their comprehensive 4-0 home win against Real Sporting de Gijón. RCD Espanyol are fifth, meanwhile, after they suffered a surprise 2-0 home loss against bottom-placed Real Zaragoza, previously without a league victory since mid-October.

Elsewhere, Rayo Vallecano de Madrid beat ten-man Getafe CF 2-0, seventh-placed Málaga CF triumphed 3-1 against RCD Mallorca and Villarreal CF defeated Granada CF by the same scoreline.