Real Madrid back on top after thrashing feeble Sevilla

By Duncan Shaw Dec 17, 2011, 23:26 GMT

Madrid - Real Madrid went back to the top of the Spanish league on Saturday with a 6-2 romp at Sevilla, with Cristiano Ronaldo banging in his fourth hat-trick of the season.

Sevilla created nearly as many chances as Real, but were foiled by Spain keeper Iker Casillas. At the other end, in contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo and company fully punished an appalling Sevilla defence.

Jose Mourinho's team now have 40 points from 16 games, three more than champions Barcelona, who last week beat Real 3-1. Barca are currently in Japan for the Club World Cup.

Real had defender Pepe sent off with the score 3-0, Sevilla's Manu del Moral got his marching orders at the end.

Ronaldo put Real ahead after just 10 minutes, on an exquisite through-ball from Angel di Maria. In the 38th minute, Di Maria set up Jose Callejon to make it 2-0 with a calm volley.

Ronaldo then made it 3-0 with a tremendous long-range drive, just before Pepe got his red card.

Man of the match Di Maria put away a fourth goal for Real, thanks to yet more sloppy defending. Spain winger Jesus Navas scored for Sevilla, but then Ronaldo made it 5-1 from a clear penalty against Karim Benzema.

Ronaldo is now three goals ahead of Barca's Lionel Messi atop the scorers' chart, 20 goals to 17.

Afterwards, Ronaldo raised eyebrows by saying: 'Those who criticized me (after the Barcelona defeat) know nothing about football. I have shut their mouths tonight ... I am very happy with this result.'

Hamit Altintop came on for Benzema, who may have suffered a serious knee injury. Altintop scored Real's sixth goal, with the Sevilla defence collapsing into chaos and confusion. Alvaro Negredo put away a second consolation goal for the hosts.

Interestingly, Real also won 6-2 at Sevilla last season, on that occasion with Ronaldo scoring four.

Earlier on Saturday, bottom team Zaragoza suffered a late 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao, a result which leaves coach Javier Aguirre in massive jeopardy.

Zaragoza have just 10 points from 16 games, three fewer than Racing Santander.

Gaizka Toquero sealed Aguirre's fate by making it 2-1 for Bilbao with just four minutes left, after being set up by Oscar de Marcos.

Markel Susaeta had given Bilbao an early lead, only for Leonardo Ponzio to quickly level for Zaragoza with a disputed penalty. Javi Martinez was sent off for Bilbao and Maurizio Lanzaro for Zaragoza.

The late win leaves Bilbao in eighth place, with 22 points.

Saturday also saw 2-1 away wins for Espanyol and Getafe, at Sporting Gijon and Mallorca.

Star of the show in Gijon was Espanyol's former Spain striker Sergio Garcia, who set up Thievy Bifouma to make it 1-0 after just two minutes.

David Barral levelled for Gijon on the hour after being set up by Miguel de las Cuevas, but Garcia restored Espanyol's lead seven minutes from time after being played through by left-back Didac.

The Barcelona club Espanyol are now seventh, with 23 points from 16 games. Gijon are third from bottom with 15 points.

In Saturday's other early game, Getafe came from behind to win 2-1 at Mallorca thanks to a brace from French midfielder Abdelaziz Barrada.

Defender Ivan Ramis headed Mallorca into the lead after 10 minutes, only for Barrada to equalize by turning in a centre from Pedro Rios. Barrada made it 2-1 for the visitors from close range just before half-time, after being well set up by Miku.

Mallorca dominated the second half but failed to break down a well-drilled Getafe defence. Getafe are 11th with 19 points, Mallorca 12th with 18.