MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick as Real Madrid routed Malaga 7-0 to get back to within seven points of Spanish league leader Barcelona Thursday. Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini's first return to Santiago Bernabeu Stadium since being replaced by Jose Mourinho was far from impressive as Karim Benzema opened after 27 minutes and Angel di Maria and Marcelo made it 3-0 by halftime. Ronaldo scored his first in the 51st then Benzema made it 5-0. Ronaldo scored a penalty before matching Lionel Messi's league-high tally of 27 goals in the 77th, although the Portugal forward was forced off with an injury. Both teams finished with 10 men, although Madrid was forced to as Ronaldo's exit came after Mourinho had made all three changes. Ronaldo ended a five-game run without a goal by taking his season tally to 37 to keep Madrid perfect at the Bernabeu after 21 games. But Mourinho said afterward that Ronaldo's injury could be serious. Barcelona won 1-0 at third-place Valencia Wednesday to provisionally move 10 points out on Madrid, which responded to the pressure by scoring at least five goals at the Bernabeu for the fifth time this season. Pellegrini greeted Mourinho before the start despite the Portuguese coach's disparaging remarks a day earlier when he ridiculed the Chilean coach's decision to lead a smaller club after being fired by Madrid. After 26 rounds, Barcelona leads with 71 poits, Madrid has 64 and Valencia 51. Villarreal, which beat Hercules 1-0 Wednesday, has 50. Earlier Thursday, Almeria rallied to draw 1-1 against 10-man Racing Santander. Man City suspends Toure Manchester City's Ivory Coast international defender Kolo Toure has been suspended after failing a drugs test, his club announced Thursday. A statement on City's official website read: “Manchester City confirm that the FA has informed Kolo Toure that an ‘A-sample' provided by him has tested positive for a specified substance. “As result of this, he has been suspended from participating in all first team and non-first team matches pending the outcome of the legal process. “There will be no further comment from the football club at this stage.” Ferguson charged Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association Thursday over his harsh criticism of a referee following Tuesday's 2-1 loss at Chelsea. Ferguson was furious that Martin Atkinson failed to dismiss David Luiz when the Chelsea defender fouled Wayne Rooney, having already been booked. Shortly afterward, Atkinson awarded a penalty kick when United defender Chris Smalling fouled Yuri Zhirkov and Frank Lampard scored the winning goal from the spot. “You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway — and we didn't get that,” Ferguson said on United's in-house TV channel. “I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I feared the worst.” The FA said that Ferguson has until 1600 GMT Tuesday to respond to the charge of “improper conduct relating to media comments.” If Ferguson is found guilty, a further two-match ban will be triggered because half of a four-match ban for questioning referee Alan Wiley's fitness.
