La Liga wrap: Ronaldo hat-trick sends Real clear, Valencia crush Gijon

Real Madrid came from a goal down to beat 10-man Levante 4-2 on Sunday and extend their lead to 10 points at the top of La Liga.

Visitors Levante opened the scoring just five minutes from kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu, when Gustavo Cabral headed home from Francisco Farinos' free-kick.

Karim Benzema had a goal ruled out for offside soon afterwards, and it took until the stroke of half-time for Real to force an equaliser.

It came at a serious cost to the visitors, with Vicente Iborra shown a second yellow card for handling inside the box, and Cristiano Ronaldo converting from the penalty spot.

Ronaldo headed his side ahead just five minutes into the second half, climbing highest to nod home Gonzalo Higuain's cross.

And the Portugal international completed his hat-trick in some style seven minutes later, cutting in from the left to fire home a vicious strike from distance.

Aroune Kone pulled one back for Levante on 63 minutes, but his headed goal arrived against the run of play.

And Benzema restored Real's two-goal cushion just three minutes later, advancing into the box before dispatching a curling effort to the back post.

The win means Real now boast a commanding lead over defending champions Barcelona, and appear on course to collect their first league title since 2008.

In other matches, Valencia cruised to a 4-0 win in their match at home to Sporting Gijon.

Sofiane Feghouli opened the scoring 32 minutes into the match at the Mestalla, and the hosts doubled their lead thanks to Alberto Botias's 72nd-minute own goal.

An injury-time brace from substitute Jonas added further gloss to the margin of victory.

Miguel Perez Cuesta and Diego Da Silva Costa were on target for Rayo Vallecano in their 2-0 win at home to Getafe, who had Michel sent off on the hour mark.

Sebastien Fernendez, Jeremy Toulalan and Jose Salomon Rondon all scored as Malaga came from a goal down to beat Mallorca 3-1 at home.

Finally, second-half strikes from Paulo Da Silva and Juan Carlos helped bottom side Real Zaragoza record their first victory from 16 matches in all competitions, a 2-0 win away to Espanyol.

Sumber : Soccerway

Alonso: Mourinho not leaving Real

Xabi Alonso has revealed that coach Jose Mourinho has not said anything to Real Madrid's players about quitting the club at the end of the season.

It was claimed last month that Mourinho had already decided to depart in the summer but Madrid forward Jose Callejon claimed on Tuesday that the Portuguese coach - in spite of recent criticism from certain sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd - is happy in the Spanish capital.

Alonso said that the former Chelsea boss has not expressed any desire to walk away from Madrid.

"The coach has not said anything," the Spain midfielder told reporters at a 'Women's Foundation for Africa' event on Wednesday.

"We are focused on playing. That is the most important thing at the moment."

Madrid are seven points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga and some pundits have argued that the title race is as good as over.

However, while the pressure is building on Real to end their Catalan rivals' era of dominance, Alonso insisted that the players are remaining calm.

"Having this lead does not change our way of playing," the former Liverpool man insisted.

"We are not obsessed with it and we will not change our way of doing things."

"We will continue in the same manner."

However, Alonso admitted that he is desperate to end the season by lifting some silverware.

"I'd love to win La Liga and the Champions League," he said.

"They are the two major competitions for us and if I had to pick one, I would be hard pressed to do so."

Madrid return to La Liga action against Levante on Sunday, with Barca set to face Osasuna on Saturday.

Sumber : Soccerway