Madrid show resolve, Sociedad streak goes on

Real Madrid CF twice came from behind to beat RCD Mallorca 5-2 at Santiago Bernabéu and move four points clear of city rivals Club Atlético de Madrid in second place.

A header from Emilio Nsue and Alejandro Alfaro's strike sandwiched a Gonzalo Higuaín effort and earned the visitors a surprise 2-1 lead at half-time. Madrid came out all guns blazing in the second half, though, and three goals in seven minutes before the hour mark turned the game on its head.

Ronaldo levelled at a corner, heading in his 27th goal in 27 Liga appearances, before Madrid assumed control through Luka Modrić's stunning shot on the bounce from distance. Higuaín completed his double to give the hosts breathing space, before Karim Benzema rounded off the scoring in added time.

French winger Antoine Griezmann also scored two as in-form Real Sociedad de Fútbol continued their ascent of the table with an impressive 4-1 home win against Real Valladolid CF. The Basque outfit are fourth and are enjoying a ten-match unbeaten run, during which they have fired in 22 goals. They have lost just once since November. 

Elsewhere, Getafe CF beat Athletic Club 1-0, while Valencia CF moved fifth with a 3-0 defeat of ten-man Real Betis Balompié; Antonio Amaya's early red card was punished by a Roberto Soldado penalty, before Paulão's own goal and Jonas' late strike sealed the win.