Real run riot
Cristiano Ronaldo's first ever five goal haul in the one match saw Real Madrid move to within a point of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a stunning 9-1 thrashing of Granada on Sunday.
Gareth Bale continued his fine form after bagging a brace for Wales last weekend by opening the scoring after 25 minutes.
Ronaldo then took over as he scored three times in eight minutes just after the half hour mark.
Karim Benzema struck twice either side of Ronaldo's fourth as Real added three more in a four-minute spell just after the break.
Robert Ibanez grabbed a consolation for the visitors, but Diego Mainz's own goal made it 8-1 before Ronaldo rounded off the scoring with a towering header.
Ronaldo's quintuple takes him four clear of Lionel Messi in the race to be La Liga's top goalscorer.
Barca can restore their four-point lead when they visit Celta Vigo later on Sunday.
And Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti wants no let up from his side in the remaining nine La Liga games of the season.
The European champions face six more league games in the next 28 days, as well as a Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid and Ancelotti is hoping the return of key players from injury will prove the key to ending the campaign on top form. "The team is fresh and it shows," said the Italian.
"We started with a good tempo and scored lots of goals. We are happy, but it is only one game and we need to concentrate on Wednesday to be just as good as today."
Real travel across Madrid to face Rayo Vallecano in midweek and Ancelotti added he would happily swap his side's free-scoring form for nine 1-0 wins between now and the end of the season.
"Obviously I would swap this for nine 1-0 victories, but we have to highlight that the team has returned to playing like we like."
Benzema praised the reaction of Los Blancos and in particular heaped praise upon his strike partner Ronaldo.
"It was a great game after the defeat against Barcelona. It was good for all of us. We scored a lot of goals, attacked and defended well. Ronaldo is a phenomenon. He always helps the team. I am very happy for him because he deserves it."
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