Ronaldo keeps Real in control

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick fired Real Madrid to a 4-1 derby win at Atletico Madrid to restore their four-point cushion over Barcelona at the top of the Primera Liga.Ronaldo opened after 25 minutes with Falcao getting the equaliser for Atletico after 55 minutes before the Portuguese star wrapped up his hat-trick to make it 40 league goals for the season, one more than Lionel Messi.Jose Callejon got the other goal for the leaders.Barcelona had moved to within a point of Real after a 4-0 win over Getafe, with six games now left including a meeting between the top two on April 21.Jose Mourinho’s assistant Aitor Karanka faced the press afterwards and credited the whole team on the winning performance.The game started off at a fast pace with both teams keen to attack and it was Atletico, looking for their first derby win since 1999, who enjoyed the better early chances.The game started off at a fast pace with both teams keen to attack and it was Atletico, looking for their first derby win since 1999, who enjoyed the better early chances.Valencia temporarily moved back into third position above Malaga with a comfortable 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano.

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Ronaldo keeps Real in control