La Liga: Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid claim victories

Real Madrid struck three times in 16 second-half minutes to finally end the dogged resistance of local rivals Getafe, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale the men on the mark in a 3-0 victory.

After being kept goalless for more than an hour, Madrid's much-vaunted strikeforce made the breakthrough they had been searching for in the 63rd minute when Ronaldo finished off a well-worked move.

Bale then volleyed home a second before Ronaldo wrapped up a 3-0 win with Madrid's third 11 minutes from time, ensuring Carlo Ancelotti's men would finish the first half of the Primera Division season on top of the standings.

Lionel Messi once again responded to speculation about his Barcelona future with a sensational performance on the pitch, scoring a hat-trick as the Catalans trounced Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 to keep the pressure on Real.

The Argentinian sounded the alarm bells last week by declaring at the FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony that he did not know where he would be next year, but gave Barca a two-goal advantage at the break at Riazor and then completed his treble in the second half.

A late own goal by defender Sidnei compounded struggling Depor's misery. Barca remain one point off the top, while sorry Depor sit one point above the relegation zone.

Atletico Madrid climbed back into third place thanks to their 2-0 victory at home to Granada.

Mario Mandzukic gave Atleti the lead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute, after Abdoul Sissoko fouled Diego Godin in the box, before Raul Garcia headed in the second with less than two minutes remaining to seal the win.

The result means Diego Simeone's men leapfrog Valencia and are now four points adrift of Real, while Granada remain rock bottom of the overall standings after the defeat, two points adrift of Almeria in 17th place.

Sevilla moved into fourth following a 2-0 victory over Malaga thanks to a first-half opener from Carlos Bacca and a moment of magic from second-half substitute Denis Suarez.

The three points moved Sevilla up one spot into the last Champions League spot, while their opponents remain eight points further back in seventh.

Elche moved out of the drop zone after narrowly beating fellow strugglers Levante 1-0, who had to play the majority of the game with 10 men.

Jonathas de Jesus put the hosts in front shortly after David Navarro had been sent off and then both sides missed penalties either side of half-time.

Fran Escriba's side began the match bottom of the standings but climb up to 16th place after this victory.