Real Madrid recovered from 2-1 down to collect all three points in a 5-2 win over Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu.
It was the away side that took the lead early on when Emilio Nsue headed home from close range, but Gonzalo Higuain levelled the scores after 15 minutes.
Mallorca were ahead once more six minutes later, however, when Alejandro Alfaro headed a Giovani dos Santos corner into the back of the net.
Three goals in five second-half minutes turned the match in Madrid's favour, however, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Higuain moving the home side into a 4-2 lead.
There was also time for Karim Benzema to get among the goals in the latter stages as he finished from close range following good work from Higuain.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two sides.
Match statistics:
Real Madrid:
Shots: 21
On target: 14
Possession: 67%
Corners: 11
Fouls: 9
Real Mallorca:
Shots: 11
On target: 6
Possession: 33%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 11
Was the result fair?
It is difficult to argue that Real Madrid did not deserve to pick up all three points this evening. They were poor in the first period, but the half-time changes certainly made them more potent in attack. Mallorca deservedly scored twice in the first half, but they were just blown away in the second period by one of the in-form teams in Europe.
Real Madrid's performance
It was hardly vintage from the defending champions, but it is another win. The league title may be gone, but they are now clear of Atletico Madrid in second. You suspect that the league title would be forgiven if they could finish as runners-up and triumph in both cup competitions. In the first half Madrid were poor, but they were stunning in the second.
Real Mallorca's performance
Having won back-to-back matches in the league, Mallorca knew that three points this evening would have moved them out of the bottom three. They deservedly led at the interval, but they simply folded in the second period under constant pressure from Madrid. However, their fight for survival will not depend on results at places such as the Bernabeu.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Mesut Ozil: Higuain may have scored twice this evening, but the German simply changed the tempo of the match when introduced at the break. He crafted and probed in the final third as Mallorca struggled to cope with his pure ability on the ball.
Biggest gaffe of the match
Pedro Bigas had a glorious chance to put Mallorca 3-1 ahead in the early stages of the second period, but instead of trying the simple finish, he decided to spin and attempt a bicycle kick that flashed over the crossbar.
Referee performance
Antonio Mateu had a fairly productive 90 minutes of work this evening. The Spaniard was largely a spectator for the first period, but was called into action in the second period. He has calm under pressure, with neither side having too many complaints about his performance.
What next?
Real Madrid: Real will attempt to continue their stunning run of form when they travel to Real Zaragoza on March 30.
Real Mallorca: Mallorca are next in action one day later than Madrid as they host Deportivo La Coruna in a relegation six-pointer at the end of the month.
Matt Law
