MADRID: Real Madrid took full advantage of a slip-up by Barcelona with a sparkling 6-1 victory over Deportivo Coruna to climb above its arch-rival into third place in the La Liga standings Sunday. Real coach Jose Mourinho had warned that an opponent would soon pay for his side's recent goal drought and Depor was the whipping boy on a rain-sodden night at the Bernabeu. Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain put Real 4-0 ahead by the 53rd minute before Depor defender Ze Castro stroked the ball into his own net. Juan Rodriguez scored a consolation for the visitors and Ronaldo raced on to Xabi Alonso's pass to complete the rout as Real doubled their season's goal tally to 12 from six matches. “We have to be happy with what was a very complete performance,” Real midfielder Xabi Alonso said in a television interview. “It was important to get the early goal and we're happy for the forwards above all.” Barca had earlier failed to capitalize on a clinical Lionel Messi strike at home to Real Mallorca and the champion conceded a soft goal just before halftime to draw 1-1 at the Nou Camp. Real has 14 points, two behind leader Valencia, who secured its place at the top for another week when Aritz Aduriz and Vicente netted in a 2-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao Saturday. Villarreal is second on 15 after it recorded a fifth successive victory by beating Racing Santander 2-0 thanks to goals from Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi. Barca has 13 in fourth, one ahead of Sevilla. Alvaro Negredo scored one and created another to inspire the Andalusians to a 3-1 home win over Atletico Madrid on new coach Gregorio Manzano's home debut. Also it was: Getafe 3, Hercules 0; Almeria 1, Malaga 1; and Osasuna 1, Levante 1. With the Real faithful sporting transparent plastic raincoats, Mourinho's Portuguese compatriot Ronaldo set Real on its way against Depor in the fourth minute. The former World Player of the Year, who has had a difficult start to the season, headed powerfully past goalkeeper Manu from a corner. New fan favourite Ozil weaved into a scoring position and drilled home in the 24th and Di Maria finished off a swift break with a spectacular header 10 minutes later. He turned provider for Higuain eight minutes into the second half, lifting a cross over Manu for his Argentina teammate to volley into the net.
