Real Madrid

Real Madrid pulled rank in Seville, defeating Sevilla 6-2 at the Sanchez Pizjuan. The victory allows the Whites to be sole leaders on the table. Cristiano Ronaldo, whom so many criticised this past week, gave a stellar performance and scored a hat-trick, bringing his total tally up to 20 strikes to top the Pichichi Trophy table on his own.

Callejon made the starting lineup, having gained the confidence of Mourinho thanks to his excellent performances of late. Both teams upped the pace of the game in the opening minutes, with Sevilla putting pressure in attack and preventing Real Madrid from creating ball movement comfortably. Di Maria soon came to the fore, serving an amazing assist to Ronaldo, who started the pour (10').

Hurt, Sevilla put Iker Casillas to the test time and again, forcing the keeper to make a spectacular save similar to that against Perotti at the same venue back in 2009: Navas served a ball on the goal-line to Manu del Moral, whose shot the keeper sent to the post following an amazing stretch (12'). Casillas again saved the day against Trochowski (16') in what proved to be the most difficult moments in the match for Real.

The Whites gradually got rid of the local's pressure and, on the 37-minute mark, Di Maria again served an impossible assist to Callejon, who scored from a slight touch on the ball over Varas' exit. The strike hurt Sevilla and Ronaldo used this to finish them off with an impressive 25-metre goal (40'). Pepe was sent off three minutes later with a second booking, forcing Mourinho to replace Callejon with Albiol.

The locals tried to cut distances short after half-time, but the Madridistas continued to have chances to score. Eventually, Benzema served a great ball to Di Maria, who broke the offside and defeated Varas with ease (65'). The Argentine was replaced one minute later by Khedira. Sevilla were battered and bruised, but they still tried for a goal and Navas defeated Casillas on the 69-minute mark with a crossed shot.

Real still wanted more. Manu del Moral was sent off in the 73rd minute for a late challenge on Arbeloa and Fazio then brought Benzema down in the box, giving a penalty to the Whites that was converted by Ronaldo. The French striker was hurt and Altintop took his place. The Turkish midfielder scored the team's sixth strike three minutes later, his first for Real Madrid (88'). Negredo eventually tallied a second goal for the locals in injury time.