Ronaldo’s Barca warning

Real Madrid reduced the gap at the top of the Primera Division to eight points ahead of next week’s El Clasico as Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick led them to a 5-1 victory over Deportivo La Coruna last night.

Riki had given the visitors a shock lead on 15 minutes but Real were level seven minutes later when Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot after Manuel Pablo had brought down Angel Di Maria.

And the hosts were in cruise control by half time as Di Maria and Ronaldo nodded in from close range.