Real Madrid were in a ruthless mood on Sunday as four-goal hero Gareth Bale led Los Merengues to a 10-2 hammering of nine-man Rayo Vallecano, while Karim Benzema also finished with a hat-trick to his name.
Cristiano Ronaldo added another two for Rafa Benitez's side following Danilo's third-minute opener, but it wasn't until Rayo were reduced to nine men that Real really took control of the clash.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid failed to move clear at the summit after Diego Simeone's side suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of struggling Malaga, who are now three points off La Liga's bottom three as a result.