Real Madrid made it five consecutive wins for the first time this season as Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in a comfortable 4-0 victory over Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Zinedine Zidane's side close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to 11 points ahead of their home game against Girona later on Saturday, with Gareth Bale and a late Karim Benzema penalty completing a routine win.
Alaves had their moments in the first half, with Keylor Navas denying Ruben Sobrino and Alfonso Pedraxza, but a mistake from Alexis just 28 seconds into the second period resulted in Bale doubling Real's lead and ending the contest.
Ronaldo, who made it 12 goals in his last seven games with his two goals, handed over the chance of his hat-trick from the penalty spot as Benzema swept in his fourth league goal of the season to complete a perfect afternoon for Zidane.
Player ratings
Real Madrid: Navas (7), Carvajal (7), Varane (7), Nacho (6), Theo (7), Casemiro (7), Vazquez (8), Kovacic (7), Bale (7), Benzema (8), Ronaldo (8).
Subs: Ceballos (6), Llorente (n/a).
Alaves: Pacheco (6), Duarte (6), Laguardia (6), Ely (5), Ruano (6), Garcia (5), Torres (5), Pedraza (6), Perez (6), Sobrino (6), Guidetti (6).
Subs: Medrán (5), Ibai (6), Burgui (6).
Man of the match: Karim Benzema.
The French head coach welcomed back Bale and Ronaldo to his starting line-up having rested them for the midweek win over Leganes, but it was Benzema who missed the game's first good chance, slipping at the vital moment to fire wide.
The striker was jeered by some home supporters after losing his footing, but they were applauding his next contribution as he picked out Bale, whose acrobatic shot flashed inches wide of Fernando Pacheco's post.
Madrid had survived a couple of scares, most notably when Navas got down smartly to his left to deny Pedraza's fierce shot, but a moment of brilliance from Benzema meant the hosts went into the break ahead.
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