Real Madrid capitalised on slip-ups by their two main title rivals to open up a four-point lead at the top of La Liga.
Matea Kovacic’s first-ever La Liga goal put Zinedine Zidane’s men on their way to a 3-0 win over Real Sociedad that enabled them to bounce back from a humbling Copa del Rey exit at the hands of Celta Vigo.
Cristiano Ronaldo was also on target at the Bernabeu, for the 20th time for his club so far this season, and Alvaro Morata added the third as Real completed the double over Sociedad and frustrated their bid to move into the top four.
Real are now firmly on course for a first league title since 2012 and a 33rd overall.
Zidane’s men, who have suffered just one La Liga defeat so far this season, to Sevilla on Jan. 15, have also progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Sociedad, who went into the game having posted back-to-back league wins, finished the game with 10 men after Inigo Martinez was sent off on 74 minutes after being shown a second yellow card.
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