Real Madrid kept up the pressure on Barcelona as they moved back to within two points of the Liga leaders with a 3-0 victory over Almeria on Wednesday.
After Barca`s comprehensive 6-0 win over Getafe 24 hours earlier, the pressure was on for Carlo Ancelotti`s side and they ultimately claimed three points with ease despite a lacklustre first-half showing.
While title rivals Barca netted five in the opening 45 minutes on Tuesday, Real took time to break through - James Rodriguez registering his club`s 100th goal of the season with a stunning volley just before half-time.
The lead was doubled after 48 minutes when Mauro dos Santos turned a low cross into his own net and Alvaro Arbeloa added a third late on.
Ancelotti opted against introducing 16-year-old Martin Odegaard, the Norwegian wonderkid made to wait for his first-team debut as he remained an unused substitute.
A typically fast start from Real saw them go close three times in the opening exchanges, with Cristiano Ronaldo unsurprisingly at the heart of everything.
