Ronaldo-less Real Madrid thrash Real Sociedad 4-1 to move four points clear at top of La Liga

A Cristiano Ronaldo less Real Madrid thrashed Real Sociedad 4-1 on Saturday after recovering from an awful start to move four points clear at the top of the La Liga table.

With the World Player of the Year missing through suspension, Madrid were stunned in the first minute when Aritz Elustondo headed the visitors into a shock lead, but they leveled almost instantly when James Rodriguez nodded home.

At half-time, showing the flare that has kept them on the top of the Spanish League this season, Sergio Ramos handed Madrid a deserved 2-1 lead before Karim Benzema scored a brace after the break to thrash Sociedad 4-1, Sport24 reported.

Second-placed Barcelona would host Villarreal on Sunday to close the gap on leaders Madrid in the La Liga table.

Sociedad boss David Moyes hadn't lost to Real coach Carlo Ancelotti in six previous meetings when they were in charge of Everton and Chelsea respectively, and Sociedad had already shown their ability to upset the odds with victory over Madrid and Barcelona at home this season.

However, Benzema's brace, Ramos' strike and Rodriguez's powerful game kept the leaders on top of the table, the report added.