Cristiano Ronaldo had another fine game for Real Madrid, scoring the opening goal and providing another two for Gonzalo Higuain who scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid won by four goals to one.

Real Madrid were quick off the mark and it took less than half an hour before they took the lead. The first goal was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo in trademark style. From a free-kick around 25 yards out, Ronaldo lashed the ball into the top corner, although it struck a head from the Valladolid wall. It was a fine strike and one Cristiano was clearly delighted with.

It was then midweek's villain Gonzalo Higuain, one of the men blamed for Real Madrid's Champions League exit, who silenced his critics and went onto score a hat-trick.

His second came from another Real Madrid set piece. Rafael van der Vaart crossed the ball and Higuain sidefooted the ball first time into the corner of the net.

The third came in the 52nd minute. The ball was floated to Ronaldo who headed it through to Higuain. One-on-one with the goalkeeper, Higuain made no mistake.

Valladolid pulled a goal back out of fortune. Arbeloa lost the ball very cheaply, and the Valladolid forward struck the ball which hit Casillas and rebounded onto Raul Albiol and trickled into the goal.

Higuain completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute. A great cross from that man Cristiano Ronaldo again beat the whole Valladolid back line and Higuain was on hand at the far post to turn the ball in.

Real Madrid are still top of La Liga on goal difference, despite Barcelona's 3-0 victory over Valencia.