Cristiano Ronaldo scores again as Real Madrid beats Levante 3-0, regains

“When people ask me if Cristiano is the best player I have trained, I will say yes”.

A spectacular performance from Neymar ensured Barcelona didn’t miss the injured Lionel Messi as he scored four to help the European champions come from behind to beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2.

For the time being, Madrid and manager Rafa Benitez hold a two-point advantage for first-place in La Liga over Villarreal, but Marcelino’s side could retake the league-lead should they prevail over third-place Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Barca were soon in front as an outrageous piece of skill from Neymar provoked Nacho into committing another penalty and this time Neymar slotted the ball to Tono’s left.

Marcelo fired Real ahead in the 27th minute at the Bernabeu when he exchanged passes with Ronaldo and blasted the ball past Ruben in the Levante goal.

Premier League strugglers Aston Villa have emerged as shock contenders to sign Real Madrid winger Jese Rodriguez is the January transfer window, according to the Daily Express.

The worldwide break has wrecked its usual havoc on Real Madrid with both attackers Karim Benzema and Luka Modric picking up injuries which will keep them out of Saturday’s game. We give away few goals while we score many.

Liverpool fans are imagining a world where Bale plied his trade in their famous colours, believing they would have won more than the 2012 League Cup this decade had they managed to pull-off this major coup.

Madrid had drawn their last two matches, against Malaga and Atletico Madrid, and Levante sensed an opportunity for an upset here and made a bold start, pressing their opponents high up the pitch and trying to force quick counter-attacks.

Roger and Deyverson called Keylor Navas into action, but the home goalkeeper was in fine form to earn a clean sheet.

Ronaldo has scored 324 goals in just 309 games – a feat all the more remarkable given the club’s previous leading scorer, Raul, took 431 more games to reach his tally of 323 Real Madrid goals.