Jude Bellingham continued his fine goal scoring form as Real Madrid beat Villarreal to return to the top of La Liga.
The England midfielder headed in a superb cross from Luka Modric to claim his 13th league goal of the season and put Real ahead in the 25th minute.
Rodrygo added a second for Real after an offside decision was overturned by a Video Assistant Referee (VAR), but Jose Luis Morales halved the deficit after the break.
However, Villarreal’s hopes were short-lived as Brahim Diaz and Modric scored within four minutes of each other in the second half to seal the three points.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis and replaced at the top of the table last weekend by Girona, who beat Barcelona 4-2.
But Girona, playing only their fourth-ever top-flight season, can leapfrog Real Madrid again if they beat Alaves on Monday
Fresh from topping their Champions League group with a 100% record, Real piled the pressure on a Villarreal side determined to play out from the back.
Bellingham missed a chance to give the hosts an early opener, but he didn’t have to wait long to make amends, heading home a superb chipped cross from Modric, who had clipped the crossbar moments earlier.
The former Birmingham City midfielder has now scored 17 goals in 20 appearances since his 103m euros (£88m) move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
