Messi nets hat trick, Barcelona regains Spanish league lead

Real sacked manager Rafael Benitez last week after falling behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the race for the Spanish title.

Bale scored a hat-trick and Benzema bagged a brace as Real surged to a comfortable 5-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna at the Santiago Bernabeu.

FINE JOB: Zinedine Zidane, right, greets Real Madrid’s hat-trick hero Gareth Bale as he leaves the pitch.

The change in the dynamic with Zidane at the helm was palpable on Saturday, with the players looking more determined and committed and working hard for each other in attack and defence.

The change in the dynamic with Zidane at the helm was palpable on Saturday, with a determined performance moving Los Blancos to within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Back in the World Cup winner’s homeland there was less hyperbole with L’Equipe simply stating “It Promises” across a picture of their most famous footballing son. “I just want to play my football”, said Bale, who has scored 10 goals in his last seven games.

“It pleased me a lot and you could feel it”, he said.

There was an ecstatic mood in the stadium for the return of the player who won Real their ninth European Cup in 2002, and Zidane was grateful for the reception he received.

“What I liked most was the attitude shown by the team”.

He will have a week before Madrid gets back on the field, against Sporting Gijon in the Spanish league, again at home. But I’m enjoying my football at the moment.

There certainly seemed to be an instant chemistry with the new coach, whom Bale admitted having watched as a Real-supporting youngster.

From Toni Kroos’ 15th minute corner, Benzema flicked home a Sergio Ramos shot, despite Deportivo’s justifiable claims that Bale was offside and interfering with play.

“I’m happy at the moment”. When we don’t have the ball he has to defend, then when we have to he can open the game up and play on the wing.

Manchester United have been linked with the winger for a few seasons now and this season, they are trying their biggest offer to date, £90m. Now we must continue working hard and winning games.