Real Madrid hit 5 again

Zinedine Zidane's dream start to life as Real Madrid boss continued as Los Blancos scored four times in the opening 18 minutes on their way to a 5-1 rout of Sporting Gijon on Sunday.

However, Madrid's joy was tempered as Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema both had to be replaced due to injuries.

Bale limped off with what looked like the recurrence of a calf problem just before half-time after having scored his 11th goal in eight games.

Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo also scored twice in the first-half before the former picked up a knock in a collision with teammate James Rodriguez.

Madrid have now scored 35 goals in six games at home since losing to 4-0 to Barcelona in November.

Victory takes Madrid above Barcelona and to within a point of leaders Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.

However, Atletico and Barca are in action later when they can make up the gap.

Having thrashed Deportivo la Coruna 5-0 in his managerial bow at the Bernabeu last weekend, Zidane made just one change with Raphael Varane replacing injured captain Sergio Ramos.

Earlier, Gary Neville's winless streak as Valencia boss in La Liga stretched to six games in a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to relegation threatened Rayo Vallecano.