Real Madrid recovered from their recent poor run of form with a 4-1 La Liga win away at Real Valladolid on Sunday night.
Los Blancos now have a 10 point cushion inside the top four, after Santiago Solari demanded a reaction from his side after their midweek Champions League exit to Ajax.
The visitors survived an early scare as Anuar Mohamed scored from close range on 28 minutes, from Sergi Guardiola's volleyed pass. However the home side had already missed a penalty through Ruben Alcaraz, with VAR ruling out Guardiola's goal for offside.
Real Madrid responded quickly, and Raphael Varane netted from close range on 34 minutes, as home goal keeper Jordi Masip dropped a corner at his feet.
Karim Benzema turned the game in the away side's favour inside fifteen minutes of the restart, netting from the penalty spot after Alvaro Odriozola was fouled, before heading home Toni Kroos' corner.
As Real Valladolid chased the game, they left themselves open at the back and Luka Modric added a fourth goal for Solari's side, after midfielder Casemiro received his first ever career dismissal after collecting two yellow cards.
