Real Madrid beat Villarreal 6-2 in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to remain just two points behind FC Barcelona at the top of the BBVA Spanish Primera Liga soccer table.

Two goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Kaka as well as a free kick from Cristiano Ronaldo and a Xavi Alonso penalty gave the home side the points in a game that at times looked as if it would be more complicated than the actual final result turned out to be.

Needing to win to stay within two points of league leaders Barcelona, Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini kept midfielder Esteban Granero in his side.

Higuain also kept his place in the starting 11 with Karim Benzema having to wait his turn among the substitutes.

Real Madrid took the lead after 18 minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo fired home a free kick from around 25 meters. However, the Villarreal players were furious as it appeared the Portuguese international had dived to earn the free kick in the first place.

Two minutes later Madrid was 2-0 up. This time Higuain went down very easily under Marcano's challenge in the Villarreal penalty area, but Fernandez again gave the decision Real Madrid's way.

Kaka scored from the penalty spot and the match looked to be under control for the home side.

Marcos Senna gave Villarreal a lifeline after 30 minutes, hitting home another spectacular free kick after Kaka had pushed Matilla.

Higuain reopened a two goal lead for the home side after 54 minutes following good work from Ronaldo only for Nilmar to again bring Villarreal back into things following a neat exchange of passes with Robert Pires.

That was the end of Villarreal's challenge and Higuain scored his second with 20 minutes left following a Marcelo cross.

Kaka added his second of the night with 10 minutes left and Alonso scored Madrid's second penalty of the game with three minutes left after Pires was adjudged to have brought down Ronaldo.