Real Madrid returns to top of LALIGA thrashing Villarreal

Spanish giants Real Madrid climbed to the top of LALIGA at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night as they trounced Villarreal with a comfortable 4-1 victory courtesy of goals from four different scorers.

The England midfielder Jude Bellingham headed in a superb cross from Luka Modric to claim his 13th league goal of the season and put Real ahead in the 25th minute. He has now scored 17 goals in 20 appearances since his 103m euros (£88m) move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Rodrygo added a second for Real in the 27th minute.

However, Villarreal's hopes were short-lived as Brahim Diaz and Modric scored within four minutes of each other in the second half to seal the three points.

Carlo Ancelotti's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis and replaced at the top of the table last weekend by Girona, who beat Barcelona 4-2. But Girona, playing only their fourth-ever top-flight season, can leapfrog Real Madrid again if they beat Alaves on Monday.

It was not all good news for Los Blancos, though, as full-back David Alaba limped off the pitch in the first half with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.