Ronaldo treble powers Madrid to victory

Real Madrid FC's mini-revival continued as Cristiano Ronaldo hit a hat-trick in an emphatic 5-1 victory against RC Deportivo La Coruña, while city rivals Club Atlético de Madrid registered a fifth straight Liga win.

José Mourinho's side did not have it all their own way and fell behind to Riki's 16th-minute effort. Ronaldo lifted the gloom seven minutes later with a stylish spot kick, before Ángel Di María headed in after his original effort had come back off a post. A similarly scrappy third arrived just before the break, Ronaldo scrambling the ball in from close range.

The home side refused to relent in the second half and Pepe made it four by converting Xabi Alonso's sumptuous centre. The rout was complete six minutes from time when Ronaldo squeezed the ball in off a post from the penalty spot after Evaldo had handled in the area.

Meanwhile, Atlético maintained their excellent start to the season by battling to victory at bottom of the table RCD Espanyol. Raúl García got the only goal of the game half an hour in to make sure the undefeated Rojiblancos remain just two points behind FC Barcelona at the top.

Real Valladolid CF also posted an eye-catching triumph, sweeping aside Rayo Vallecano de Madrid 6-1, thanks in part to a pair of goals from Óscar González. Elsewhere, Granada CF won for the first time this season, overcoming RC Celta de Vigo 2-1, as did CA Osasuna, who condemned Levante UD to a 4-0 loss.