Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 14 goals La Liga goals this season

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty before scoring twice as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad to ease the pressure on manager Rafael Benitez.

Ronaldo fired over from the spot on 23 minutes after Sociedad's Yuri was adjudged to have fouled Karim Benzema.

The Portuguese blasted home a second penalty after Yuri handled, but Sociedad substitute Bruma equalised with a fine, angled finish.

Ronaldo's volley made it 2-1 before Lucas Vazquez completed the scoring.

Substitute Vazquez turned Gareth Bale's low cross under Geronimo Rulli to temporarily put his team top of La Liga.

Benitez was booed when his name was read out before kick-off, and again when he replaced James Rodriguez with Mateo Kovacic.

The former Liverpool manager was only appointed in June but three defeats in the previous six league games had put him under pressure.

However, victory in their final game of a disappointing 2015 moved Real Madrid a point ahead of title rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who both play later.

Benitez's men start 2016 away to Gary Neville's Valencia on Sunday.

Sociedad, meanwhile, end the year without a win in three league games.

Their cause was not helped at the Bernabeu as midfielder Sergio Canales and top-scorer Imanol Agirretxe were both carried off on stretchers in the first half.

Real Madrid have scored 17 goals in their past three home games in La Liga

Real Sociedad remain in trouble near the bottom of the La Liga table