Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid once again defeated local rivals Atletico Madrid in the Vicente Calderon Stadium on Wednesday night.

Ronaldo was at his best and scored two incredible goals and a penalty to keep his side four points ahead of FC Barcelona at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga table.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho produced a surprise with Kaka in his starting line up and the Brazilian formed part of a very attacking Real side.

However, Atletico had the better of the opening minutes with Radamal Falcao forcing a good save from Iker Casillas after 10 minutes. On the whole, however, the home side were unable to turn their possession into shots as several crosses flashed across the Madrid area without finding either Falcao or Adrian Lopez.

Ronaldo then showed how effective he is after 25 minutes as he scored a 35 yard free kick which left Atletico keeper Courtois flat footed as it took a strange effect in flight.

Real Madrid then enjoyed their best moments of the game and Courtois reacted well to push a Ronaldo shot round the post before the break.

Falcao leveled the score after 54 minutes with a fine header from an Adrian cross and send the home fans wide with delight.

That goal meant Real Madrid were temporarily just two points ahead of FC Barcelona at the top of the table, but it was also the sign for them to take control of the game.

Ronaldo saw a shot saved low by Courtois and headed a free kick over the bar before putting his side back in front with another thunderous shot, which again deceived the Atletico keeper with its flight.

Ronaldo saw another chance saved by Courtois but completed his hat-trick after 38 minutes from the penalty spot after Godin had pushed Gonzalo Higuain in the back. It was his 40th league goal of the season and he could have made it 41 minutes later only for Courtois to stand up well to his shot.

It was left to Javier Callejon to round off the scoring with a low shot that the Atletico keeper could do nothing to save.

Wednesday's other games saw Valencia return to third place with a 4-1 win at home to Rayo Vallecano thanks to two goals from Jonas Goncalves and further strikes from Jordi Alba and Pablo Hernandez.

Levante slip out of the top four after a 3-2 defeat against Sporting Gijon, who kept hopes of avoiding relegation alive after coming back from 2-1 down. Sangoy scored the winning goal six minutes from time

Meanwhile late goals from Fernando Llorente and Markel Susaeta gave Atletico Club Bilbao a 2-2 draw away to Granada after Athletic had been trailing 2-0 with 10 minutes left to play.

As well as Barcelona's 4-0 win at home to Getafe, two other games were played on Tuesday. Real Sociedad and Betis drew 1-1, while Osasuna consolidated themselves in sixth place with a 2-0 win at home to Espanyol.