Real Madrid 3 Real Sociedad 0: Cristiano Ronaldo, Alvaro Morata and Mateo Kovacic help league leaders to their second win in six games
Zinedine Zidane's side go four points clear at the top of La Liga with a much needed win over 5th place opponents
REAL MADRID moved four points clear at the top of La Liga with a game in hand on rivals Barcelona after comfortably overcoming a tricky looking test against Real Socieded.
The visitors went into the game in 5th place and chasing a Champions League spot but were swept aside by goals from Mateo Kovacic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata.
In contrast Zinedine Zidane's league leaders were out of form with tonight's win being just their second in seven games.
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But Croatia star Kovacic settled the nerves on 38 minutes when he became Real Madrid's 22nd different scorer of the season.
Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo then ended his January blues when he placed a deft chip over Real Sociedad goalkeeper Jeronimo Rulli's head and into the net.
And the match was ended as a contest when Inigo Martinez was shown a 78th minute second yellow card for a clumsy challenge.
Substitute Alvaro Morata rounded off a convincing win with an 82nd minute header.
Earlier in the day Real Madrid were handed the initiative in the La Liga title race as rivals Barcelona slipped up by only managing a 1-1 draw at Real Betis.
But the match was shrouded in controversy as Luis Suarez's shot clearly crossed the line but the officials failed to award a goal.