Bale back with a bang

Gareth Bale made an instant impact on his return from injury as Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga to four points with a 2-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday.

Bale had only been on the pitch 13 minutes after three months on the sidelines due to ankle ligament damage when he swept home into the far corner to round off a rapid Real counter-attack.

Alvaro Morata had opened the scoring when he bulleted home Isco's cross 12 minutes before half-time.

"I was happy just to be on the pitch. To get a goal is an extra bonus and thankful to help the team and see the game off," said Bale.

"It's been a difficult time but when you get a reception like that it makes it all worth it."

Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane made seven changes to the side that started Wednesday's 3-1 Champions League last 16, first-leg win against Napoli with difficult La Liga trips to Valencia and Villarreal to come in the next week in mind.

Morata was one of those handed a rare chance to start up front with Karim Benzema left out of the squad altogether.

The Spanish international hadn't started any of Real's previous five league games, but made his case for more minutes as he powered home Isco's fine in-swinging cross for his 11th goal of the season.

Bale's much-anticipated return since injuring ankle ligaments away at Sporting Lisbon on November 22 came 20 minutes from time when he replaced Morata.

And the Welshman showed the home fans what they have been missing for the past three months as he finished off a lightning quick Real counter-attack by firing into the far corner.

"We only have one Gareth Bale," said Zidane.

"We are happy to see Gareth back with the team. He is a special player, he gives us something different from the rest."

- Quick-fire Gameiro -

Earlier, substitute Kevin Gameiro hit a five-minute hat-trick as Atletico Madrid maintained their grip on fourth with a 4-1 win at Sporting Gijon.

Gameiro was seconds away from making history as he just missed out on beating David Villa's record for the fastest hat-trick in La Liga history.

Gameiro was only introduced 28 minutes from time but struck in the 80th, 81st and 85th minutes and dedicated the hat-trick to his recently deceased grandmother.

"Those goals are for my grandmother, who died this week. I scored three for her," he said.

The visitors got a break right at the start of the second period when Yannick Carrasco was allowed to bear down on goal despite Antoine Griezmann standing in an offside position and tapped home at the second attempt after Ivan Cuellar had saved his first effort.

The lead lasted just three minutes as Atletico's once solid defence was breached by Sergio Alvarez as his effort evaded the attempts of Stefan Savic to clear off the line.

Atletico have now conceded more goals in La Liga so far this season than all of last season.

Gameiro was summoned from the bench just after the hour mark as Atletico upped the pressure in search of a winner.

Griezmann was harshly denied by the offside flag 15 minutes from time.

However, the French international did have a vital role to play in Gameiro's first as it was his through ball from which Gameiro rounded Cuellar to slot home.

Thomas Partey teed up Gameiro to thrash home seconds later and Gameiro completed his hat-trick with another composed finish on the counter-attack.