Gareth Bale compensated for the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo with a goal and an assist as Real Madrid went joint top of La Liga with a 4-2 win over Villarreal on Saturday.
The Welshman took advantage of an error from Chechu Dorado to chip home the opener before setting up Karim Benzema to put Madrid on the road to victory.
A wonder strike from Villarreal right-back Mario Gaspar gave Villarreal hope before halftime, but the in-form Jese Rodriguez made it 3-1 just after the hour mark with a lovely deft finish.
Giovani Dos Santos' free-kick halved the deficit once more before Benzema's second of the game sealed the points 15 minutes from time.
Real are now level on points with Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, although Atletico can move clear of their local rivals once more when they face Almeria later on Saturday.
Bale had missed Real's previous three games due to a calf injury, but he announced his return in style just seven minutes in as he robbed Dorado before dinking the ball over Sergio Asenjo for his 11th goal of the season.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man turned provider 14 minutes later with a right-footed cross that Benzema stabbed home at the near post.
