La Liga Team of the Week: Five-star Ronaldo joined by providential Pique

 

Real Madrid returned to form with an amazing 9-1 victory at home to Granada in La Liga on Sunday, but Barcelona stay four points clear at the top of the table after beating Celta Vigo 1-0 at Balaidos later that day.Cristiano Ronaldo hit five in Madrid's first nine-goal salvo in La Liga since 1967, while Jeremy Mathieu's winner in Galicia ensured Luis Enrique's men remain in control of the Primera Division with nine games left.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla, Atletico, Levante and Getafe. Here, Goal picks out the standout performers from the latest Liga action...

In goal, Cristian Alvarez helped Rayo to an impressive 2-1 win at Eibar with some vital saves in the Friday match.

At the back, Gerard Pique produced a vital block at 0-0 in the game against Celta to continue his remarkable recent form, while Jeremy Mathieu netted the all-important winner for Barca at Balaidos and Mateo Musacchio was superb for Villarreal in a goalless game at Valencia dominated by the defenders.

James Rodriguez made a triumphant return to the Madrid line-up and, along with Luka Modric, made the team tick in a wonderful 9-1 win, while Saul scored and impressed for Atletico in their 2-0 success at Cordoba and Ever Banega was in fine form for Sevilla in their 2-0 victory over Athletic Club.

In attack, Carlos Bacca was also on target in a superb showing for Sevilla. David Barral struck a hat-trick for Levante in their 4-1 win at Almeria and Cristiano Ronaldo hit five goals for the first time in his career as Madrid humbled Granada at the Santiago Bernabeu.