Real Madrid travelled to Real Mallorca on Sunday knowing that only three points would be good enough to keep on the tails of rivals Barcelona.
They took the lead after just eight minutes when Gonzalo Higuain converted from close range, while Cristiano Ronaldo made it two after 22 minutes.
Mallorca continued to struggle in the second period and Higuain and Ronaldo both added their second goals in the latter stages before Jose Callejon got in on the act.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Good evening all! Our penultimate live commentary of week nine in La Liga comes from Mallorca as they attempt to stop a run of three successive defeats in the league. Meanwhile, Madrid will be keen to recover from disappointment in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund.
Team News: Giovani Dos Santos continues in attack for the home side. Meanwhile, Madrid name Michael Essien at left-back once more. Full teams to follow.
Mallorca: Aouate; Ximo, Geromel, Conceicao, Bigas; Nsue, Marti, Fontas, Dos Santos; Hemed, Victor
Madrid: Casillas; Ramos, Varane, Pepe, Essien; Modric, Alonso; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Higuain
Let's take a look at how both sides have fared this season. Mallorca began their season with a 2-1 win over Espanyol. Meanwhile, victory over Real Sociedad was sandwiched between draws against Malaga and Osasuna.
They continued their impressive start to the season with a 2-0 win over Valencia in late September, but October has brought nothing but disappointment with three straight defeats against Getafe, Granada and Sevilla.
Madrid, meanwhile, began their league season with a 1-1 draw against Valencia before losing 2-1 away to Getafe. They returned to winning ways against Granada, but their poor start continued as they lost to Sevilla in mid-September.
However, their form since then has been extremely impressive. Victories over Rayo Vallecano, Deportivo La Coruna and Celta Vigo moved them back into contention, while they drew 2-2 with Barcelona at the Nou Camp in early October. Mourinho's side also secured two wins from their first two Champions League group games, but lost to Borussia Dortmund in the week.
Granted, it is still easy in the season. But you just get the feeling that Madrid simply cannot drop any more points in the league if they are to retain the Spanish title. The last side you want to give a lead to is Barcelona and that has happened after nine games. Meanwhile, their neighbours Atletico Madrid have made a stunning start to the season.
Here we go then. The players stand in the tunnel ahead of kickoff. Mild evening in Spain. That will suit both teams. Let's hope for some goals at the ONO Estadi. It is a must win for Madrid.
Update: Atletico Madrid lead Osasuna 3-1 with moments remaining. They are going level with Barcelona on 25 points. What an incredible start to the season they have made.
Here we go then. Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Wonderful atmosphere? Check. Let's get this La Liga clash underway in Mallorca.
Madrid kick us off on this mild windy evening in Mallorca. Not a full stadium, but the home fans are in good voice. Let's hope for some goals.
First challenge of the match is a strong one as Ximo clatters into Xabi Alonso. However, the Spaniard returns to his feet after some treatment. That has set the tempo!
Madrid have just started to take control of the possession in the past few moments with Alonso and Luka Modric enjoying early touches. However, Mallorca have a nice shape to their team.
Decent stuff from the home side as Nsue searches out the run of Tomer Hemed, but Pepe comes across to clear the danger. You can just sense that there is goals in this one.
Madrid are finding it tough to keep possession in midfield with Bigas and Fontas pressing well. However, one long ball from Alonso so nearly feeds Ronaldo, but the danger is cleared.
GOAL! Mallorca 0-1 Madrid (Higuain)
Where did that come from? Madrid take the lead inside eight minutes as Higuain fires an effort into the top corner from outside the box.
It was poor defending from the home side. After such an even start, that is such a big blow. Mallorca just need to settle in the next five minutes or so.
Half-chance for the away side to add a second as Ronaldo fires a long-range effort, but Dudu Aouate is on hand to collect the danger. We haven't seen much from Dos Santos or Hemed thus far.
It's smart defending from Varane as he quells the threat of Dos Santos before clearing the danger. The young Frenchman has really come in the past few weeks. Mallorca are struggling for invention at the moment.
Another half-chance for Madrid as Di Maria fires a low cross into the box, but Aouate beats Ronaldo to the ball. The home side attempt to counter with Victor, but Ramos clears the danger.
Decent spell for Mallorca as Ximo forces a corner from Essien. However, Ramos jumps highest to clear the danger before Essien clears once more. Nice tempo to the match thus far.
Chance! Best opportunity of the match for the home side as Nsue attempts to find the top corner from inside the box, but Casillas claws it to safety. That's better from Mallorca.
Not a great deal in terms of chances for either side at the moment. Mallorca are enjoying more of the ball, but they are struggling to find that elusive pass. Little over 20 minutes played.
GOAL! Mallorca 0-2 Madrid (Ronaldo)
Madrid extend their lead as Ronaldo collects an Ozil pass before finding the bottom corner. Wonderful finish.
Again it was poor defending from the home side. You simply cannot give the Portuguese that kind of room. This one could well be over already.
Mallorca attempt to respond as they feed Dos Santos on the left, but Varane clears the danger once more. The home side just need a sniff to lift the home supporters as we approach the 30-minute mark.
Madrid are just taking the sting out of the match with a period of possession. If Mallorca can score the next goal, then we might have a game on our hands.
Half-chance for Mallorca as Hemed meets a cross from Victor, but the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, Higuain fires wide with a chance down the other end. End-to-end stuff at the moment.
Ronaldo comes close to adding his second as he meets an Ozil corner, but the referee blows for a foul. The football is all being played by Mourinho's side as we approach the latter stages of the first period.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Nsue puts a dangerous cross into the middle. However, Ramos clears the danger before Madrid set up a counter of their own.
Chance! Ronaldo comes close to his second as he is fed by Ozil inside the box, but he fires his effort over the crossbar. You would have put your house on him scoring there!
Mallorca continue to fire a host of crosses into the penalty area, but the wind is taking the ball out of play on each occasion. It's been a decent response from the home side.
Sighter for Madrid as Modric strikes from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. The Croatian is yet to open his tally for Madrid since joining from Tottenham in the summer.
It just has not happened for Mallorca in this first period. Madrid have just passed them off the pitch. They need some sort of spark to mount a comeback.
Madrid continue to pass and probe deep in the Mallorca half as we approach the break. It is almost like a training match at the moment.
Half-chance in the latter stages as Ramos finds Higuain at the back post, but the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.
Real Mallorca 0-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. Goals from Higuain and Ronaldo have given Madrid a half-time lead over Mallorca. In truth, it has been as comfortable a match for the away side as they have faced this season.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half. Madrid have dominated possession with 59%, while they have had five shots to Mallorca's three. However, the home side are yet to register a single shot on target.
It's difficult to see Mallorca gaining anything from this match unless they make a change. Madrid lead without really getting out of second gear. The next goal could decide the context of the second period.
So, as it stands Mallorca are facing their fourth league defeat in a row. Meanwhile, Madrid are moving into fourth spot in the table. You can get 100/1 for a Mallorca win now. Anyone fancy it?
Here we go then. Mallorca kick us off in the second period. Is there any chance of a comeback? We will find out in the next 45 or so. Stay with us for the conclusion.
Change for the home side at the break as Fontas is replaced by Tomas Pina. Meanwhile, Madrid remain in control in the early stages of the second half.
Mallorca have a host of players warming up on the sidelines. I would expect another change to be made if it stays 2-0 as the match wares on. Madrid have had all of the possession thus far.
It's a bit of a nothing match at the moment. However, a goal for Mallorca would change the whole feel of the encounter. Madrid are so comfortable in the early stages of this half.
Madrid continue to pass and probe with Modric and Alonso enjoying possession. In truth, we have seen nothing from the Mallorca trio Hemed, Victor and Dos Santos thus far.
Madrid remain on the attack as they force a free kick outside the box. However, Bigas defends well to clear the danger. The third goal appears to be on its way.
The scrappy start to the second period continues as Anderson Conceicao picks up a booking for a foul on Ronaldo. They are certainly winning the foul count at the moment if nothing else.
Mallorca make their second change as Dos Santos is replaced by Javier Arizmendi. Meanwhile, Ronaldo tests the goalkeeper with an effort from long-range.
The home supporters just need to stay with their team as we pass the hour mark in the match. All it takes is one bit of magic. The game is in desperate need of some.
Still no sign of any changes for the away side. They have a Copa del Rey clash in the week and you would expect a shadow team to be named. Tonight has just been so easy for them.
Half-chance for the home side as Marti whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Pepe clears the danger. Meanwhile, Ronaldo is crowded out down the other end. Will someone please have a shot on goal.
Better from Mallorca as Nsue drifts a dangerous cross into the box, but Pepe just gets enough on it to turn the ball behind. Meanwhile, they defend the resulting corner with ease.
Mallorca can smell a rat here. Madrid continue to give away possession and it is inviting the home side on. However, their final ball continues to let them down. Meanwhile, there is just no atmosphere inside the ground.
GOAL! Real Mallorca 0-3 Real Madrid (Higuain)
Madrid have their third of the match as Ronaldo finds Higuain and the Argentine in turn finds the bottom corner.
Finally we have had a bit of quality in the second period. It took a while! That is game set and match now. But Madrid will want more goals.
Madrid go in search of their fourth as Alonso whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Ximo clears his lines. Little over 15 minutes of normal time remaining.
GOAL! Real Mallorca 0-4 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo makes it 18 goals in 14 games this season as he sprints into the box before finding the bottom corner. Just brilliant.
Meanwhile, change for Madrid as Di Maria is replaced by Jose Callejon. This could be any score in the final period of this match.
Madrid are dominating possession at the moment. It's been as poor a performance from Mallorca that I have seen in recent seasons. They have just offered no threat.
Change for the home side as Marc Fernandez replaces Marti. Meanwhile, Madrid also make a change as Morota replaces Higuain.
Madrid make their third and final change of the match as Alonso is replaced by Raul Albiol. Meanwhile, the Spanish defender clears a corner with his first touch.
Madrid are well in control of this match as approach the final five minutes. It is like a training game at the moment. Essien strikes one from outside the box, but it moves wide of the target.
Not a great deal happening at the moment truth be told. Mallorca continue to struggle for that final pass and Madrid gain possession before launching another attack of their own.
Still Ronaldo searches for his third as Ozil finds the attacker on the edge of the box, but he is just crowded out at the vital moment. But all it takes is a second.
Meanwhile, we will play an additional two minutes of added time. In truth, this match has been over since Madrid scored the second goal.
GOAL! Real Mallorca 0-5 Real Madrid (Callejon)
Madrid make it five in the final moments of the match as Callejon taps an Ozil cross home at the far post.
Real Mallorca 0-5 Real Madrid
So there we have it. Real Madrid continue their resurgence in La Liga with a comfortable 5-0 victory over struggling Real Mallorca on Sunday. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and look out for our match analysis in the next 30 minutes. Goodnight!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
