Zinedine Zidane hails "hardworking" Real Madrid following emphatic derby win

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has put his side's comfortable victory over near neighbours and title rivals Atletico Madrid down to "hard work and determination".

Los Blancos earned a 3-0 win at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday evening to move four points clear at the top of the La Liga table, courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo treble in the Spanish capital.

Zidane was eager to share the plaudits around the dressing room rather than focusing praise solely on Ronaldo, but says that there is no doubt the Portuguese is currently the greatest player in world football following his latest star showing on enemy territory.

"Not many teams can come to the Vicente Calderon and win 3-0 like this," he is quoted as saying by Marca. "Our approach in every game is to win. We knew that would be difficult, but we did it with hard work and determination. We essentially played a 4-4-2, but the formations aren't as important as players being willing to work hard and give everything.

"I never had any doubts about [Ronaldo], and his goals don't change anything. There's no debate over who deserves the Ballon d'Or. Isco didn't lose a single ball in the first half; I'm delighted with the way he played up front behind Cristiano, which I think is his best position."

Madrid now turn attention to European action, with a meeting against Sporting Lisbon to come in the Champions League on Tuesday night.