A hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé saw Real Madrid capitalise on the second successive league game where title rivals Atlético Madrid dropped points, recording a 3-0 win at Real Valladolid in
La Liga to surge four points clear at the top of the table-with a seventh successive H2H win without conceding against their rock-bottom opponents.
The home team could have taken a shock lead after just two minutes against the run of play, but Thibaut Courtois saved David Torres's close-range header from a corner.
The goalkeeper was on hand to tip Mamadou Sylla's strike wide before Antonio Rüdiger tried his luck from distance at the other end, with Karl Hein parrying the ball away for a corner Aurélien Tchouaméni headed onto the roof of the net.
It took them till the half-hour mark, but Los Blancos finally found their breakthrough as an in-form Mbappé curled into the far corner after playing a lovely one-two with Jude Bellingham to give the visitors a slender half-time lead.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men took control in the second half as Mbappé netted his brace - and seventh goal in five matches - before the hour-mark. The Frenchman collected Rodrygo’s pass before beautifully placing the ball into the bottom corner to put the result beyond doubt.
From here on, the visitors continued to knock the ball around with patience before again taking their chances as one particular passing movement nearly brought about a third through substitute Luka Modrić, who only struck past the far post.
The visitors were awarded a penalty to make it three as the 90-minute mark approached, with culprit Mario Martín shown a second yellow card and duly sent off against his parent club. Mbappé stepped up, sending Hein the wrong way to score his first hat-trick for Los Blancos.
That defeat means Los Blancos have now lost just once in 26 away matches and sit in pole position to defend their title, while a third successive defeat for Valladolid leaves them at the foot of the table and five points adrift of safety.