Cristiano Ronaldo struck four goals as Real Madrid thumped Elche 5-1 last night.

Only three days after netting his 24th hat-trick for the club in their 8-2 victory over Deportivo La Coruna, Ronaldo went one better at the Bernabeu.

Real appear to have got their campaign back on track in a glut of goals and, although Edu Albacar gave Elche a surprise lead, Gareth Bale quickly equalised before Ronaldo stole the show.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "The team played well, with greater balance, control and consistency. We reacted well after conceding. It isn't a question of the system; it's the work that everyone puts in. The team is in much better physical shape than against Atlético.

"As you improve physically, it's easier to have balance. We try to defend in a 4-4-2 and attack with a different system, so as to get good use out of the characteristics of our attackers."