REAL Madrid is now just four points behind Barca as the side bounced back from its embarrassing elimination from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player in midweek with Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo all on target in their 4-1 thrashing of Getafe.

    Real remains third, two points behind Atletico Madrid, after goals from Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann handed Diego Simeone’s men a 2-0 win at Granada.

    At the Bernabeu, any sign of the fans’ frustration at the club’s latest gaffe in being eliminated from the Cup due to an administrative error was eased when Benzema fired home from Pepe’s fine cross after just five minutes.

    That was the Frenchman’s first goal since being charged in a blackmail scandal involving international teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

    And he looked back to his best as he doubled Madrid’s advantage on 16 minutes when he slotted into the bottom corner from Bale’s headed cut-back after Ronaldo appeared to have been fouled inside the area.

    The one-way traffic continued as Bale showed great composure to finish from Ronaldo’s knockdown and score for a second consecutive league game for the first time since January.

    Ronaldo finally got in on the act three minutes later at the end of a devastating counter-attack as he latched onto Toni Kroos’s fine through ball to register his 17th goal of the season.

    “To get the three points playing very well in the first half means that these players, who we know are very important, once they get up to speed can cause a lot of damage to any defence,” said Madrid coach Rafael Benitez.

    Meanwhile, New Valencia coach Gary Neville watched on from the stands as Santi Mina’s late equalizer handed his side a shock 1-1 draw at home to European champion Barcelona.

    Luis Suarez had put the visitors into a controversial lead as he appeared to be offside before slotting in at the near post, but Valencia’s work rate was rewarded when Mina fired into the top corner five minutes from time.(SD-Agencies)