Bale, Ronaldo on scoresheet as Real Madrid hit five
Gareth Bale struck twice as Real Madrid thrashed Rayo Vallecano 5-0.
Losses to Barcelona and Sevilla - the first time Madrid have suffered successive defeats in La Liga since the 2008/09 season - over the past seven days had badly hit their title hopes, but Carlo Ancelotti's men got their campaign back on track in style with a 5-0 win.
Cristiano Ronaldo's early strike was all that separated the sides at the break, but Madrid cut loose in the second half with Bale netting his first goals in seven games while Daniel Carvajal and substitute Alvaro Morata were also on the mark.
The victory, which should have been even larger, keeps Madrid within three points of leaders Atletico Madrid and two behind Barca, both of whom won testing away matches on Saturday.