Real Madrid roll on

An eighth win in a row for Real Madrid, who beat Rayo Vallecano 5-1 in one of the most pulsating games in La Liga BBVA's Matchday 11. With 27 points, the Whites maintain their position at the top of the table, while the Franjirrojos now lie in twelfth.

It was a 24-carat gold spectacle at the Santiago Bernabéu, with attacking football aplenty. Real Madrid dominated from the off, though the visitors also looked dangerous and put the Whites under considerable pressure. Gareth Bale was recalled to the starting lineup and made his presence felt after only eight minutes, latching onto an excellent pass from Toni Kroos to make it 1-0. Just before half time Sergio Ramos made it 2-0 with a header from a corner. Rayo, valiant as ever, managed to halve the deficit with a goal from Alberto Bueno.

Paco Jémez's side came out strongly at the beginning of the second half, but Carlo Ancelotti's men kept their heads and limited the visitors' chances. Kroos put the finishing touch on a good team move, scoring from outside the area to make it 3-1. Rayo stood up tall and continued to fight, even after Benzema made it 4-1. Cristiano Ronaldo added a flourish to proceedings with his eighteenth goal this season, confirming his position as top scorer in Spain.