Real Madrid welcomed Rayo Vallecano to the Bernabeu on Saturday evening knowing that three points would see the capital outfit return to the top of the La Liga table.
The home side led 2-0 after 40 minutes courtesy of goals from the returning Gareth Bale and captain for the night Sergio Ramos, but Alberto Bueno's strike in first-half stoppage time gave the visitors hope of a comeback.
Real Madrid restored their two-goal lead after 56 minutes, however, when Toni Kroos angled one into the bottom corner, before Karim Benzema made it 4-1 just before the hour.
Cristiano Ronaldo got in on the act late on, with his effort making it five for the home side.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome neighbours Rayo Vallecano. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of the match, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Bernabeu.
TEAMS
REAL: Navas; Nacho, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, James; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
RAYO: Cristian; Tito, Ze Castro, Abdoulaye, Insua; Fatau, Trashorras, Lica, Kakuta; Bueno, Baptistao
So there we have it. Keylor Navas comes into the Real Madrid team this evening, with the Costa Rican replacing Iker Casillas between the sticks. There is also a start at right-back for Spaniard Nacho, while Gareth Bale finally returns to the XI. James Rodriguez will revert to a deeper role for the capital side at the Bernabeu.
Rayo, meanwhile, as expected, have gone with an attacking side. Leo Baptistao and Alberto Bueno both start in attack, with Mohammed Fatau and Gael Kakuta providing support from wide positions. On-loan Porto midfielder Lica also starts in the middle for the visitors alongside the skipper Roberto Trashorras.
To suggest that Real Madrid have a strong record against Rayo would be the understatement of the century. Los Blancos have won their last 12 meetings with their neighbours, including a 5-0 victory in the corresponding match last season. It is a seriously big ask for Rayo to take something tonight.
Real Madrid lost two of their first three league games of the season, but have since won their last seven in La Liga and last 12 in all competitions. They topped the league entering this weekend, but Barcelona's 2-1 win at Almeria this afternoon moved the Catalan outfit to the summit. Three points for Carlo Ancelotti's side against Rayo, however, would see them regain first spot in the table.
Incredibly, Real Madrid have scored 37 goals in their 10 league games this season – almost four EVERY game. Cristiano Ronaldo has got 17 of those, while Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez have also been in good form. Last time out in the league, Los Blancos were 4-0 winners at Granada.
Rayo, meanwhile, currently sit 12th in the table on 11 points. They have won three of their 10 league games this season, losing five times in the process. They have actually won two of their last three away games in La Liga, but enter this match off the back of successive defeats to Malaga and Eibar.
Rayo's season has been as expected thus far – plenty of positive performances and attacking football, coupled with some poor displays and untidy defending. They came from 2-0 down to level with Eibar on Monday evening, but then conceded late on to lose against the newly-promoted side.
Have a look at what myself and Barney Corkhill had to say about this match here...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Will Real Madrid return to the top of La Liga this evening? The home side get the first 45 minutes of action underway.
Bright start from the home side as Bale feeds Benzema, who drives a cross towards the far post, but Ba is on hand to make the clearance. It will come as no surprise that the hosts have take control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Rayo forced to retreat.
Half-chance for Ronaldo as the Portuguese cuts inside before drilling one towards goal, but Alvarez is on hand to make the save. The visitors are down the other end moments later, but Leo cannot control under pressure from two defenders. Lively opening four minutes to this La Liga clash.
Half-chance for Rayo this time as Kakuta delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, where Lica was waiting, but Marcelo was on hand to make a brilliant clearance. Good moment for the visitors.
Ronaldo again threatens for the home side after driving down the left and delivering towards Benzema, but Ba is on hand to make the block. Rayo continue to commit players down the other end, but it is leaving gaps for the home side to exploit. It has been an end-to-end opening seven minutes.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening nine minutes, but it has been an entertaining start, with both sides prepared to commit numbers in the final third. You just get the feeling that Rayo need to keep the home side out for the opening 20 minutes and then build from there.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo (Bale)
The home side have the lead with nine minutes on the clock as Bale converts a low Kroos cross from close range. Back in the team, back on the scoresheet for Bale. Rayo are in trouble here.
Rayo have had a decent spell of possession since the home side took the lead, with Baptistao driving a low cross into the box, but Navas is on hand to make the save. I have a feeling that we have not seen the last of the scoring here. Rayo are leaving serious gaps in their back four at the moment.
Rayo continue to carry a threat as Kakuta delivers another cross towards the far post, but Navas is on hand to collect once more. The home side are down the other end with Ronaldo moments later, but his effort is straight into the arms of the waiting goalkeeper. It remains 1-0 to Real Madrid.
Just a reminder that three points for the home side would see them regain first spot in the table. It is all going very swimmingly at the moment, with the team in white in complete control of events here.
Good spell for Rayo as Insua delivers two dangerous crosses into the home side's box, but Marcelo is on hand to clear on both occasions. The visitors threaten from a corner moments later, but Ramos manages to clear following a period of panic, before Fatau fires wide from outside the box.
Real Madrid continue to force the issue in wide areas, with Marcelo playing as a left-winger at the moment. The Brazilian combines with Ronaldo, but Ba just manages to poke clear. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere around the Bernabeu at the moment and why not?! Ronaldo has another half-chance, but fires high and wide from a narrow angle.
Half-chance for the away side as Leo strikes one from outside the box, but Navas makes the save. Rayo are carrying a threat at the Bernabeu, but they are leaving serious gaps down the other end.
Not the best work from Navas as the Real Madrid goalkeeper makes a meal of a strike from Bueno, who alongside Leo, has caused the home side problems in the opening 23 minutes.
Controversy here as Ronaldo, who had grass in front of him, is hauled down by Fatau, but the referee is not interested. That should have been a free kick and a possible red card.
Insua appears to have a real problem here as the left-back hits the deck...
... SUB! Rayo are forced into a change as Insua, who has picked up a hamstring injury, is replaced by Quini. That is a big blow for the visitors at such an early stage.
Quini, a former Real Madrid player, has dropped in at right-back for the visitors. Ronaldo immediately tests the defender after driving inside and sliding a pass into Bale, but the Welshman was in an offside position. The opening 27 minutes of this contest have just flown past it must be said.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but the home side remain in control of the possession. You just get the feeling that Rayo need to score the next goal if they are to take something from this match. Another goal for Los Blancos and surely it is game over.
Leo again threatens for the away side after meeting a cross from Quini, but the Brazilian just diverts his header wide of the post. The visitors are carrying a serious attacking threat at the moment.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining here.
Bale shows Tito a clean pair of heels down the left, but the Welshman cannot find the run of Ronaldo on the opposite side. Rayo can be pretty pleased with the way they have responded since falling behind, but you just get the feeling that the home side could strike a killer second at any moment.
It is the away supporters making most of the noise at the moment, and their team is responding with little over five minutes of the first period remaining. The home side have been a little untidy in possession and that is giving Rayo encouragement in the final third of the field.
Suddenly James lets fly from outside the box, but Alvarez is across to make a stunning save. That is more like it from James, who does not really score normal goals does he?!
CROSSBAR! From the resulting corner, Benzema heads one off the crossbar.
Another half-chance for the home side as Bale drops his shoulder before flashing a low cross towards Benzema, but Ze Castro is on hand to make a brilliant clearance at the vital moment.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Rayo (Ramos)
The home side have their second of the match as Ramos seems to thigh a Kross corner into the back of the net. It was a controlled volley with the centre-back's thigh. A little special or lucky?!
That is a big, big blow for the visitors, who have had their moments in the first period. It is difficult to see Real Madrid throwing it away from this position. It could be a long second 45 minutes.
SAVE! Opportunity for the away side to open their tally for the evening as Tito spins inside the box before firing one towards goal, but Navas is on hand to make the save.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo (Bueno)
The visitors have their goal late in the half following a horrible mistake from James, who attempts to find Navas with a back-pass, but he sells his goalkeeper very short. Leo nips in and finds Bueno, who finishes into the bottom corner. Game on at the Bernabeu!
BOOKING! Fatau is booked for a late challenge on Modric just outside the box. Brilliant chance for the home side to restore their two-goal lead here...
Bale takes the resulting free kick, but his effort just hits the top of the net. Very close!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Real Madrid leading 2-1. The home side were two goals ahead after 40 minutes following efforts from Bale and Ramos, but a late strike from Bueno has left Rayo Vallecano with a fighting chance in the second 45 minutes.
STATS! Rayo have had slightly more of the possession with 51%, while the visitors have had six attempts, three of which have been on target. The home side, meanwhile, have registered five attempts on target. There has been just the one booking, with Fatau carded for the visitors.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a host of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Hernandez, Isco and Medran capable of making a difference. Rayo, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Aquino, Manucho and Pozuelo, but they have already made one sub.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Let's hope for more of the same in this half please. It is the visitors that get the action underway in the capital.
No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of events. However, I suspect alterations could occur if the score remains 2-1 for the next 20 minutes or so.
Good start to the second period from the away side as Quini delivers a brilliant cross towards the head of Leo, but Pepe is on hand to clear for a corner. Trashorras takes the resulting set piece, but eventually the home side manage to clear following a period of extended pressure.
Pepe has had to leave the field for treatment following an aerial challenge with Fatau...
The pressure continues from Rayo as Tito delivers a brilliant cross towards the far post, but Ramos manages to make the clearance. The home side are down the other end with Ronaldo moments later, but the Portuguese is denied. Rayo have started this half like a house on fire!
Pepe has been patched up and is allowed to continue...
It hasn't quite happened for the home side in the early stages of this half, with Bale just losing control following a through pass from Ronaldo. Rayo are down the other end with Fatau moments later - the midfielder wins a corner, but the resulting set piece is played short and eventually cleared.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Modric to restore the home side's two-goal lead, but the Croatian can only fire high and wide after meeting a loose ball inside the box.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Leo has the ball in the back of the net for the away side, but the flag was raised for offside. Rayo are causing all sorts of problems here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Rayo (Kroos)
Stunning effort from Kroos as the German collects a pass from Ronaldo before angling one into the bottom corner. That is a special, special goal from the World Cup winner.
It is tough on the away side, who have been very impressive in the second period. However, that is the difference between the top teams and the rest. Real Madrid upped the tempo for one moment and scored their third of the match. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-1 Rayo (Benzema)
The home side have their fourth of the match as Benzema turns a Ronaldo cross into the back of the net, but the Frenchman was clearly offside. That is poor from the linesman it must be said.
SUB! Rayo make their second change as Sanchez replaces Trashorras.
It has been a decent response from the away side, but they have just been blown away in a matter of minutes. Modric has another half-chance, but his effort is blocked by the diving Ba.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Rayo are still enjoying plenty of the ball. Lica tries his luck for the away side, but his effort was always straight at Navas.
Another half-chance for the home side as Benzema leads a counter attack, before finding Ronaldo, who returns the ball to the Frenchman. Eventually the cross comes towards Bale, but the Rayo goalkeeper just does enough to clear ahead of the Welshman. Devastating counter from the home side.
SUB! The home side make their first change as Isco replaces James.
This is going to be win number 13 in a row for Real Madrid - can anyone stop them? Ronaldo has another half-chance after collecting a pass from Bale, but Alvarez makes a smart save.
Possession football from the away side in the last couple of minutes, but they are struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. It has been a strange match - Rayo have done well for long spells, but they trail 4-1, which is not good news for Real Madrid's main rivals this season.
SUB! Rayo make their third change as Manucho replaces Leo.
CLOSE! The away side come close to scoring their second as Ba rises above everyone inside the Real Madrid box - including Navas - but his header just drops wide of the post. Poor decision from the goalkeeper to come for that cross. He has had a couple of nervy moments tonight.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Both sides are going through the motions it must be said.
Half-chance for the away side as Lica drives down the left before sliding a pass into Manucho, but Ramos is across to clear at the vital moment. Real Madrid are down the other end moments later, but Benzema cannot catch a pass from Ronaldo. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
BOOKING! Lica goes into the book for a shirt pull on Modric.
CROSSBAR! Almost number five for the home side as Bale strikes a stunning volley from outside the box, but Alvarez manages to push the effort onto the top of the crossbar.
Half-chance for the away side as Kakuta finds some space in a wide area before striking one towards goal, but his effort was always moving away from the goal. End-to-end football in Madrid.
GOAL! Real Madrid 5-1 Rayo (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo gets in on the act for the home side, but it is a terrible mistake from Alvarez, who allows the attacker's effort to slip under his body. Poor goalkeeping from the Spaniard.
SUBS! Two changes for the home side as Medran and Hernandez replace Bale and Benzema. Little over five minutes of this La Liga clash remaining in the capital.
Five more goals for the home side this evening. When are they going to stop scoring? They have hit an average of four per game in the league this season. Those numbers are just incredible.
Half-chance for Rayo once more as Manucho finds some space outside the box, but his low effort is wide of the post. In truth, 5-1 is harsh on Rayo, who have certainly contributed to this match.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score their fifth as Ronaldo sets up Medran inside the box, but the youngster cannot beat the goalkeeper at his near post.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the Bernabeu.
BOOKING! Quini goes into the book for a late lunge on Ramos.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 5-1 Rayo
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to a close, with the home side running out 5-1 winners. That result has seen Real Madrid return to the top of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
