Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick lifts Real Madrid ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid reduced the gap at the top of the Primera Division to eight points ahead of this weekend’s Clasico as Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick led them to a 5-1 victory over Deportivo La Coruna, who took an early lead through Riki.

It was a game the champions could ill-afford to slip up in after title rivals Barcelona had fought back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 at Sevilla on Saturday night.

In Italy, Napoli’s 1-0 win at Sampdoria yesterday – courtesy of an Edinson Cavani penalty – kept them neck and neck with Serie A leaders and title holders Juventus, who thrashed AS Roma 4-1 on Saturday. Both teams have 16 points from six games, two more than Lazio who beat Siena 2-1.