Ronaldo heads Real in front
Rodriguez curler doubles the lead
Real Madrid remain four points off Barca
FT: Barcelona 4-0 Almeria
Suarez scores twice; Messi also nets
Image source, AFPMatt Love:, external At least we know it's not just the premier league where ref's make horrendous decisions!
Nahum Goulding:, external Worst decision ever.
Andrew Smith:, external What a disgraceful decision from the ref, as obvious a penalty as you will see all season.
Cristiano Ronaldo still looks annoyed (see 50 mins)
Real Madrid have only won two of their last five La Liga matches and you can see why. They look disjointed.
Cristiano Ronaldo sends a speculative volley wildly over from 20 yards.
Image source, AFPYou have to admire Vallecano's bravery. The hosts keep playing football from the back and getting away with it. Bold stuff.
Real are growing in confidence. Gareth Bale cuts inside and shoots just wide from the right. The Rayo fans are a tad bit quieter now.
This is anyone's match at the moment. It is incessant attacking from both sides - and Real again go close.
Marcelo lets loose with a screamer from 25 yards but it is inches wide.
Real are looking more of an attacking threat as this match swings from end to end. Karim Benzema drags a shot wide of goal after racing clear. He should do better.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, AFPReferee - you have had an absolute howler.
Cristiano Ronaldo is clearly taken down by Antonio Amaya's sliding tackle inside the penalty area. The Portuguese has no chance of keeping his feet as the whistle goes. Penalty surely?
No. Ronaldo is booked for diving. Real are furious.
Image source, EPAOut of nothing, Real are almost ahead. James Rodriguez crosses in from the left and Gareth Bale's diving header is just wide of the far post.
Here we go again. It is the hosts who start the quicker as Gael Kakuta is just unable to get his head to Tito's cross from the left.
Can Rayo repeat their first-half dominance? You'd have to think not. Game on.
Image source, EPAMany of Real's attacking stars have been virtually invisible so far. They need to step up to the plate in the second 45 minutes.
Rayo Vallecano attempted 11 shots, more than they have managed in any other first half in La Liga this season.
Image source, APWakey, wakey Real Madrid.
Barcelona moved seven points clear at the top of La Liga earlier this evening with a 4-0 win at home to Almeria and, so far, Real are not responding.
They need to.
Real Madrid will be delighted to get in at the break still level. They aren't there yet though as Rayo come forward again...
And that is so close to the opener. A delicious cross from the right by Tito is met by Roberto Trashorras at the far post but his header is beaten away by Iker Casillas.
A dangerous position for Real Madrid as Marcelo and Raphael Varane stand over a free-kick 45 yards out. It is beautifully whipped in by the latter but Cristiano Ronaldo heads over the bar. Their best effort of the match - and it wasn't really close.
A slight lull in proceedings as the hosts get their breath. They have been superb in this opening 38 minutes though.
John McEnerney:, external RM need some big performances or they'll end up with nowt! Flatlined after Xmas after being "Winter Champs".
And that is so close to the opener as the left-wing corner is swung in and Manucho deflects the ball towards goal only to see it blocked by a grateful Iker Casillas. No one could have expected the hosts to be enjoying this type of dominance.
A fifth corner of the half for the hosts. The crowd are willing it in...