Fábregas scores three as Barcelona follow Madrid

Liga leaders FC Barcelona remain 13 points clear after they recorded a 5-0 defeat of RCD Mallorca, Real Madrid CF having dispatched Levante UD 5-1 earlier in the day.

Cesc Fábregas and Alexis Sánchez were involved in all five goals of a breathless contest as the Azulgrana tore into their visitors. Fábregas's one-two with Alexis gave Barça the lead, doubled 99 seconds later when the Chilean international buried the rebound from Fábregas's saved shot.

A near carbon copy of the opening goal brought Fábregas's second, before the ex-Arsenal FC man turned provider, chipping forward for Alexis to complete his own double. Fábregas's hat-trick goal was well-received in the second half, but the night's standing ovation was reserved for Éric Abidal, enjoying his first outing since a liver transplant this time last year. 

Earlier, Madrid scored five for the second home Liga game in succession, but only after going behind to Míchel's goal. Gonzalo Higuaín restored parity with an acrobatic volley, with Kaká quickly putting the Merengues ahead from the spot. Three goals in the last six minutes, one from Cristiano Ronaldo and a quick-fire Mesut Özil double, made the scoreline more resounding.

Elsewhere, RC Deportivo La Coruña boosted their survival prospects, leaping two places to 18th, a point behind Real Zaragoza, after sinking Manuel Jiménez's men 3-2. In fourth place, Real Sociedad de Fútbol have a four-point cushion over Málaga CF after beating them 4-2.