Cristiano Ronaldo's hat trick leads Real Madrid over Valencia

Ronaldo spurned a great opportunity in the 64th minute after finding himself with just Lopez to beat. Perhaps thinking he was offside, the Portugal international dithered on the ball and in the end the shooting chances was lost.

Rossi threatened on a rare Villarreal counter before Madrid went close again, Benzema once more being denied by Lopez.  A Madrid goal was looking increasingly likely, and it duly arrived in the 80th minute through Ronaldo.  He was unable to make the most of his first opportunity but he managed to regain possession before spinning and firing a low left-footed shot into the corner of the net.

That was Ronaldo's 22nd league goal of the season, his fourth hat-trick of the campaign and means he has now scored 64 goals in just 62 appearances since his record transfer from Manchester United in 2009.  Ronaldo was not done yet though, and he turned provider soon after to help substitute Kaka wrap up the points with a neat finish.

Mourinho celebrated that goal in front of the Villarreal bench, which did not go down well with the visitors, one of whom threw a water bottle in the direction of the Portuguese.  It missed, but the referee raced over to brandish a red card to one of the Villarreal contingent on the sidelines.