Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga to eight points as they cruised to victory in a seven goal extravaganza at home to Valladolid.

Although Valladolid started brightly, it took the league leaders only nine minutes to open the scoring through Julio Baptista.

And once they started they just couldn't stop. Bernd Schuster's men fired home another four in the first half, and added two more after the break.

José Luis Capdevila and Vivar Dorado had some good efforts on target, but Iker Casillas prevented any consolation goals for the visitors.

The first goal came after Baptista got on the end of Arjen Robben's through ball to win a one-on-one with the keeper.

Just after the half hour mark, Raul added to the score line after some skilful dribbling around the Valladolid keeper.

Two minutes later and Real were on a roll. Robben scored his first league goal and the hosts were three goals up.

The tension was clearly getting to Serjio Asenjo when the Valladolid keeper fouled Baptista in the 39th minute. He paid the price with a yellow card and gave away a penalty that Raul slotted into the bottom left-hand corner, scoring his 10th goal in La Liga this season.

Just when José Luis Mendilibar's men were hoping for the whistle, Los Blancos struck again. This time it was Guti in the 44th minute.

Guti then got his second of the match just 17 minutes into the second half. The 31-year-old picked up the ball and delivered a great left-footed strike towards the goal that smashed the post and went in.

Royston Drenthe finished the match off in the 80th minute, the Real substitute picked up the ball on the move shunting it past two defenders before sending it past Asenjo with his left foot.

Despite some brave efforts, Valladolid just couldn't provide the finishes to make the score as even as the possession in this match. Real proved quite convincingly that their shock defeat last week to Almeria was not going to hold them back for long, and this seven goal heaven was a clear message to Barcelona that they are in for a tough ride if they want to catch the leaders now.

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ATHLETIC BILBAO 1 LEVANTE 0

Bilbao twice hit the woodwork in the first half before striker Fernando Llorente put them in front from a free header in the 55th minute for their first win in four.

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ESPANYOL 1 RECREATIVO HUELVA 2

The appointment of new coach Manolo Zambrano had the desired effect for Recre as they took a two-goal lead with French striker Florent Sinama Pongolle scoring in the 18th minute with a turn and shot, and in the 26th, sliding in at the far post.

Only the woodwork prevented them from adding to the score though Espanyol's new Brazilian striker Ewerthon pulled one back for the home side at a corner in the 39th. It was Recre's first win in eight.

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OSASUNA 1 REAL ZARAGOZA 0

Osasuna pulled away from the relegation places with this win which came courtesy of a deflected shot from Czech midfielder Jaroslav Plasil in the 45th minute.

Zaragoza's poor away form continues to hinder their progress. Only bottom club Levante have a worse record.

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RACING SANTANDER 0 ATLETICO MADRID 2

Atletico's Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan broke the deadlock in an entertaining game firing in from the edge of the area in the 56th minute.

He added a stunning second in the 75th, curling in a shot from outside the area to earn Atletico a first win in four.

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REAL MALLORCA 0 ALMERIA 0

Mallorca ended Almeria's run of four straight victories with this draw but the visitors made it five games without conceding a goal.

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VALENCIA 3 REAL BETIS 1

Valencia striker David Villa broke free and scored in the far corner after 16 minutes and helped set up the second, using his arm in the process, laying the ball off for Silva in the 27th.

Betis were back in the game when Brazilian striker Edu headed in at a free kick from an off-side position in the 47th and Betis's Juanito headed against the bar, before Villa made it 3-1 from a superb free kick in the 89th. It was Valencia's first home win in five attempts since November.

Reuters