Ronaldo hat-trick keeps Real Madrid top

Reuters: Cristiano Ronaldo answered his critics with a hat-trick as Real Madrid came from behind to win 4-1 at Alaves and go two points clear at the top of La Liga.

Champions Barcelona moved up to second with a lacklustre 1-0 win over bottom side Granada, while 10-man Atletico Madrid are third after a 4-2 win at home to Malaga, capitalising on Sevilla’s 1-1 draw at Sporting Gijon. Alaves forward Deyverson pounced on an error by Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas to give the home side a shock lead in the seventh minute but the Brazilian conceded a controversial penalty in the 17th for handball, which Ronaldo calmly converted. The Portuguese put the European champions in charge in the 33rd with a powerful strike that deflected off Zouhair Feddal beyond the reach of former Real goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane praised his side for their reaction to going behind, although their third straight victory was tainted by the sight of defender Pepe going off injured in the first half.

“If you do not suffer, you cannot win La Liga. We kept our heads cool even in difficult moments, which always occur in this league,” said Zidane.

Real are top of the standings with 24 points, two ahead of Barca and three clear of city rivals Atletico, and Sevilla, who drop to fourth.