Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo to the double: Real Madrid return to the top

Getafe 2 - 4 Real Madrid
(1-0) 13' Ronaldo, (2-0) 20' Higuain, (3-0) 23' Higuain, (4-0) 37' Ronaldo, (1-4) 38' Parejo, (2-4) 80' Pedro Leon

It had been widely reported before the match that Real Madrid had a worse game to points ratio in El Coliseum than in the Camp Nou. If it had even entered the minds of Real Madrids stars, it certainly didn't show. The first half of this match was so one-sided, such an incessant wave of white movement, it was almost embarrasing to watch. Xavi Alonso was majestic in the middle, ordering his artillery ahead of him with the precision he so often demonstrated at Anfield. Shots rained down on Ustaris goal with such alarming regularity, Getafe must have felt like throwing in the towel at half time. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Higuain in this mood, you havn't got much hope.

The first goal came courtesy of yet another Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick, as he continues to consolidate his position as the deadliest player from set pieces on the planet; todays was his sixth this season. Most players have to choose between power or precision. Not Cristiano. Todays free-kick was only inches outside the box, yet he managed to curl it up over the wall and into the top corner with such force, it had flown past Ustari before he had time to react. Then Gonzalo Higuain took over with two typically Higuain goals. The Argentine is dynamite in the area. His goals just so effortless, with the striker almost strolling through the Getafe defence and past the keeper for his second. If Higuain is the silent assassin, Cristiano is a full-on missile launcher. Having bamboozled Mario with a series of stepovers, he let fly with another short, sharp swing of his right boot; the ball a blur as it shot past a shellshocked Ustari.

Getafe hit back with two goals of their own, but it was just a case of salvaging pride. Parejo took advantage of a Casillas mistake to stroke into an empty net, although many will feel the goal was unjust as Casillas lay stricken on the turf after being subject of a robust, although perfectly legitimate, challenge from the goalscorer. The match inevitably slowed down after that avalanche of goals, with Pedro Leon netting the final goal with ten minutes remaining. As the game peetered out, Pedro Mosquero was finally handed his debut. A talented midfielder who has worked his way up from the Castilla reserves, Madrid fans will hope he is the first of many youngsters to make the breakthough in the coming years. In the meantime it is the job of their Galacticos to ensure that Barca don't walk away with a second successive league title. The Clasico in three weeks promises to be electric, but  before Barca come to town they have a derby to take care of.

Atletico Madrid 2 - 0 Athletic Bilbao

(1-0) 54' Forlan, (2-0) 86' Agüero

Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways after their horror show in Mallorca with a vital victory against Athletic Bilbao which reignited their push for Europe. Lead by an impeccable performance from Tomas Ujfalusi, who handled big Fernando Llorente as well as any defender this season, Atletico survived a first half onslaught from the Basque side and hit them with two second half sucker punches. Diego Forlan got the first just before the hour, as he took advantage of a slide rule pass from Valera to sidefoot past  Gorka Iraizoz. The goal was his tenth against Atheltic, more than against any other side, and the celebration had more than tinge of anger, as he let out a few weeks of frustration by gesturing angrily to the crowd. 'People have a short memory' he said after the match, a clear sign that the fans complaints about his lack of form havn't gone unnoticed.

Bilbao tried to fight back, but in vain and the game was over when Sergio Agüero tricked his way into the area before firing in. Athletic will feel hard done by, with Javi Martinez and Gabilondo both putting in impressive shifts. How they needed the killer instinct of Atleticos front two. So Atletico move towards the Bernabeu in high spirits. Only five points off the UEFA spots, in the final of the Copa del Rey and in the last eight of the Europe League. Crisis? What crisis?

Check out what the lads at MadridAtleticos thought about the match HERE!