La Liga: Madrid Go Six Points Clear

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice but Real Madrid rode their luck to beat Sporting Gijon and go six points clear at the top of La Liga overnight. The European champions looked in control when Ronaldo scored twice in the first 18 minutes.

His opener was a penalty and his second was a header from Nacho’s cross – his eighth La Liga goal in four games. But Carlos Carmona pulled one back and Duje Cop missed a penalty for the visitors with 13 minutes left. The Croatia international, who appeared to check his pulse just before taking the kick, fired high and wide after Nacho was penalised for fouling Victor Rodriguez.

Real went seven points clear briefly, but Sevilla beat Valencia 2-1 on Saturday evening to trim that lead by one point. Champions Barcelona can take it back down to four points today at Real Sociedad.

Ronaldo’s double takes him up to 10 La Liga goals for the season, two above Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the golden boot race.