Real run riot to sink Espanyol 4-0
Real Madrid ran riot against a poor Espanyol in the Bernabeu on Saturday, winning 4-0 to move up to second in the Primera Liga.
Real hardly broke sweat against fellow King's Cup semi-finalists with Guti, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo on his return from injury, striking before the break.
Zidane added a second five minutes after the restart to extend Real's winning run to seven games in all competitions.
England captain David Beckham told reporters after the game: "It is an important win which gives us a lot of confidence for the cup game against Real Zaragoza next week." Real have 42 points from 22 games and are 10 points behind leaders Barcelona who play Atletico Madrid at home on Sunday.
Third-placed Valencia, with 40 points, can move back above Real if they beat Deportivo Coruna away later on Saturday.
Earlier a Salva Ballesta header dragged Malaga off the foot of the table and earned new coach Manuel Hierro a 2-1 debut home win over Athletic Bilbao.
Malaga's Portuguese defender Litos scored after 30 minutes, but fellow strugglers Bilbao levelled the scores through Aritz Aduriz just before the break.
The Andalucians had midfielder Nacho sent off in the 69th minute but secured the win four minutes later when Salva rose to head home from a free kick.
Malaga climb to 17th in the table with 20 points from 22 games, a point ahead of Bilbao who slip to 18th.
Real opened the scoring with their first attack when Beckham broke down the right in the 14th minute and crossed low to the near post for Guti to flick the ball in from close range.
Brazilians Robinho and Roberto Carlos combined down the left after 43 minutes to set up Zidane for the second, and two minutes later it was Cicinho who broke and floated a pass to Ronaldo to head the third.
Espanyol, who were hammered 5-0 by Getafe two weeks ago, offered little resistance.
Five minutes after the break Zidane collected Cicinho's pass to fire in a half-volley from outside the area.
Beckham put on strong performance and set up compatriot Jonathan Woodgate in the 63rd minute with a deep cross but the defender's header was cleared off the line.
Only some profligate finishing from the home side and some good saves from Gorka Iraizoz prevented a more goals.