Real Madrid took full advantage of a slip-up by Barcelona with a sparkling 6-1 victory over Deportivo Coruna to climb above their arch-rivals into third place in the La Liga standings on Sunday. Real coach Jose Mourinho had warned that an opponent would soon pay for his side's recent goal drought and Depor were the whipping boys on a rain-sodden night at the Bernabeu.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain put Real 4-0 ahead by the 53rd minute before Depor defender Ze Castro stroked the ball into his own net. Juan Rodriguez scored a consolation for the visitors and Ronaldo raced on to Xabi Alonso's pass to complete the rout as Real doubled their season's goal tally to 12 from six matches. "We have to be happy with what was a very complete performance," Real midfielder Xabi Alonso said in a television interview.
Barca had earlier failed to capitalise on a clinical Lionel Messi strike at home to Real Mallorca and the champions conceded a soft goal just before halftime to draw 1-1 at the Nou Camp. Real have 14 points, two behind leaders Valencia, who secured their place at the top for another week when Aritz Aduriz and Vicente netted in a 2-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Villarreal are second on 15 after they recorded a fifth successive victory by beating Racing Santander 2-0 thanks to goals from Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi. Barca have 13 in fourth, one ahead of Sevilla. Alvaro Negredo scored one and created another to inspire the Andalusians to a 3-1 home win over Atletico Madrid on new coach Gregorio Manzano's home debut.
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