Real Madrid 7-1 Celta de Vigo

Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer in La Liga this season

Cristiano Ronaldo scored four times as Real Madrid cruised to a 7-1 win over Celta Vigo to move within a point of second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Ronaldo claimed his fifth hat-trick of the season to take his total to 39.

He struck three times in 15 minutes after the break, after Pepe had headed Real into a 1-0 half-time lead.

Iago Aspas pulled a goal back but Ronaldo completed his treble and headed in a fourth before Jese and Gareth Bale, on his comeback, scored late on.

How the action unfolded

Ronaldo's efforts - which took him past 350 goals for Real Madrid and up to second in La Liga history with 252 - saw Real bounce back from losing to Atletico in their previous home game, a 1-0 defeat that virtually ended their hopes of catching Barcelona at the top of the table.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 27 goals in La Liga this season and is second only to Lionel Messi in the league's all-time standings after surpassing the 251 of former Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra.

Ronaldo attracted some criticism from whistling Real fans before scoring his first goal

That led to some unrest in the Bernabeu and Celta, who were unbeaten in three games in their pursuit of a place in the Europa League, should have gone ahead when ex-Liverpool striker Aspas headed against a post.

But Pepe calmed things down as he nodded in his first goal of the season from an Isco corner.

Real were below full strength but overwhelmed Celta in the second half as they gave themselves the perfect preparation for the second leg of their Champions League last 16-tie, which they lead 2-0, at home to Roma on Tuesday night.

Gareth Bale has now scored 10 goals in his last six appearances for Real Madrid

Ronaldo lashed in a dipping, 25-yard drive five minutes after the break before curling a superb free-kick into the top corner.

Aspas coolly lifted his 10th league goal of the season over Keylor Navas to make it 3-1, but Ronaldo then tapped in his third goal to claim his 36th hat-trick in Spanish football.

With Celta's defence struggling, Ronaldo headed in from a corner and Jese ran through to slot the sixth before Bale, back from a calf problem that has kept him out since mid-January, completed the rout with a run and low shot which went in off a post.

Real Madrid supporters protested against club president Florentino Perez, after slipping so far behind in the title race

What they said

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane: "You know Cristiano, he is capable of scoring four goals and there are very few people capable of doing that. That is why he is unique.

"It is part of football that the fans whistle now and then.

"They are demanding fans, but at the same time they know their players well and always want more. That is good to help us improve and do more."