CRISTIANO RONALDO returned to goalscoring form with his first hat trick of the season and also missed a penalty as Real Madrid extended its lead at the top of La Liga with a 4-1 win at Alaves on Saturday.

    Ronaldo could have scored a fourth if not for goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco, who saved his spot kick.

    Madrid’s win ensured it stayed two points ahead of Barcelona after the defending champion moved into second place with a 1-0 win over bottom-side Granada. Atletico Madrid also won to move into third after overtaking a Sevilla side that was the only top team to stumble.

    Ronaldo’s first multi-goal performance of the season for Madrid was his club record 31st hat trick in La Liga. And it came just when voices in the Spanish capital were wondering if Ronaldo’s 31 years were finally catching up with him.

    “(Ronaldo) is patient and is showing it on the pitch,” Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. “I’m very happy with his performance.”

    Ronaldo got his hat trick following his worst start to a season since his debut campaign at Madrid in 2009. Before Saturday, he scored only four times in nine matches, twice in the league and twice in the Champions League. By comparison, Barcelona rival Lionel Messi has struck 14 times in this campaign.

    An early goal by Deyverson gave the home fans hope that newly promoted Alaves could add a win over Madrid to an impressive list of results, which include a shock victory at Barcelona and a draw at Atletico Madrid.

    But Ronaldo leveled the score 10 minutes later from the penalty spot after Deyverson appeared to use his arm inside the area to block Gareth Bale’s free kick. Ronaldo sent Pacheco the other way before firing home.

    (SD-Agencies)