Real Madrid returned to the top of La Liga with a 5-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday evening.
Goals from Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos handed the home side a two-goal lead, but Alberto Bueno responded for Rayo in the latter stages of the first period.
Los Blancos scored three more times in the second period, however, with goals from Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo adding gloss to the scoreline.
Here, Sports Mole analyses how each individual player performed during the entertaining affair.
© Getty Images
REAL MADRID
Goal
Keylor Navas: Given the chance to impress with Iker Casillas rested, but the Costa Rican did not look entirely comfortable. Made a few poor decisions and was involved in the mix-up for Rayo's goal. (6/10)
Defence
Nacho: Does not provide the same attacking threat as Dani Carvajal, but was solid enough defensively. Decent performance without pulling up too many trees. (6/10)
Pepe: Picked up a nasty head wound early in the second period, but returned to complete the match. Looked fairly comfortable at the heart of the back four. (6/10)
Sergio Ramos: Scored his 50th Real Madrid goal with a clever finish late in the first period. Also added to the excitement with a couple of trademark runs from the back. (7/10)
Marcelo: Has been in brilliant form in recent weeks and put in another strong performance at the Bernabeu. Caused the visitors problems with his pace in the final third. (7/10)
Midfield
Toni Kroos: Ran the show from the middle of the park. Set up Bale for Real Madrid's first, before scoring a curling effort early in the second period. (8/10)
Luka Modric: Slightly over-shadowed by Kroos on the night, but still had a strong match. Prepared to drop back and help his back four when needed. (7/10)
James Rodriguez: A rare off-night for the Colombian, whose mistake led to Rayo's goal. Never really got into the match before departing after 68 minutes. (6/10)
Attack
Gareth Bale: Capped his return to the team with his side's first of the evening. Continued to look dangerous until understandably tiring in the latter stages of the match. (7/10)
Karim Benzema: Continued his strong goal-scoring run with his side's fourth just before the hour. However, replays showed that the Frenchman was in an offside position. (7/10)
Cristiano Ronaldo: Scored his 18th league goal of the season late on. Also set up Kroos and then Benzema for Real Madrid's third and fourth early in the second period. (8/10)
Substitutes
Isco: Was unfortunate to miss out on the first XI, but made his point from the bench - contributing another assist for Ronaldo in the latter stages. (7/10)
Alvaro Medran: Should have scored late on after being put through by Ronaldo, but was denied by a smart save from Cristian Alvarez. A lively cameo. (6/10)
Javier Hernandez: Entered alongside Medran five minutes from time, but the Mexican saw little of the ball. (5/10)
© Getty Images
RAYO VALLECANO
Goal
Cristian Alvarez: Made some decent saves, but should have done better with at least two of the Real Madrid goals. Dropped a big clanger for the Ronaldo effort late on. (5/10)
Defence
Tito: Switched to left-back after Insua had departed and did not look entirely comfortable. Made some decent blocks, but was untidy in possession of the ball. (5/10)
Ze Castro: Struggled to deal with the interchanging Real Madrid attack, but was not really helped by some poor defending around him. (5/10)
Abdoulaye Ba: Caused some problems in the final third with his aerial prowess and size, but was ultimately caught chasing shadows down the other end. (6/10)
Emiliano Insua: Made a really bright and positive start to the match, but was forced off with a hamstring injury after just 25 minutes of action. (6/10)
Midfield
Mohammed Fatau: Lucky to remain on the pitch after hauling Ronaldo to the ground early in the first period. Was eventually booked in the latter stages of the half. (5/10)
Roberto Trashorras: Helped his side retain possession during what was an impressive first-half performance, but the captain was over-run early in the second period. (5/10)
Lica: Showed some nice touches in forward positions, but struggled to make a serious mark on the match. Picked up a booking late in the second period. (5/10)
Gael Kakuta: Caused the home side problems with his pace and movement in wide areas, but did not really come close with any of his attempts from distance. (6/10)
Attack
Alberto Bueno: Found the back of the net late in the first half and caused Real Madrid problems with his pace and movement. Did his job well. (7/10)
Leo Baptistao: Set up Bueno for his side's goal late in the first period and was a touch unfortunate to have one of his own disallowed for offside in the second half. (7/10)
Substitutes
Quini: Replaced Insua after 25 minutes and did well to pick up the pace of the match. Was impressive going forward, but guilty of being caught out down the other end. (6/10)
Jozabed Sanchez: Entered the field just past the hour mark, but did not really see enough of the ball to make a telling contribution. (5/10)
Manucho: Only had 15 minutes on the field, but had two or three good opportunities. Provided the Real Madrid defence with a different threat late on. (6/10)
Matt Law
