A standout performance from Gareth Bale helped Real Madrid ease to a 4-0 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday night at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. Bale had arguably his finest match in a Real uniform as the new arrival played a role in all of Real's scores with three goals and an assist on a Karim Benzema goal.

With Cristiano Ronaldo still out injured, manager Carlo Ancelotti was once again forced top shuffle around his lineup as Ángel Di María slotted into Ronaldo’s spot in the attack on the right. The Argentine was joined by central striker Benzema and Bale on that line. In midfield the Italian boss slotted in a trio of Luka Modric, Isco and Xabi Alonso, while in the back Dani Carvajal got the nod to replace the suspended Álvaro Arbeloa and the former Bayer Leverkusen man was joined by Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo. Back in goal, of course, was Diego López.

Real were clearly the dominant team in the first haf but failed to find the back of the net throughout the better part of the first 45 minutes even with nine shots attempted on goal compared to Valladolid’s zero. But a goal was just a question of time and it finally arrived in the 33rd minute. A left-footed Di María strike from the left was deflected out by Valladolid goalkeeper Mariño but it fell right onto the onrushing Bale who easily headed the ball into the open net.

Three minutes later the Welshman got to play the role of playmaker on the second Real goal. The former Spurs man sliced in a picture-perfect left-footed cross that allowed Benzema to smack a header past Mariño to make it 2-0 and give the former Lyon his 10th goal in all competitions this season. It also marked the fifth straight league match in which Benzema has scored. As for Bale, it was his sixth assist of the season making him the leader in that category for Los Blancos.

After a sleepy start to the second half, Real started to reassert its dominance at the hour mark and looked to have made it 3-0 on a fine finish from Benzema but Isco was ruled offside. However three minutes later Los Blancos would extend the lead to three when a Marcelo cross from the left deflected off the foot of Valladolid defender Carlos Peña and it trickled to Bale who it in.

Bale would cap off his epic night by competing the hat trick in the 89th minute. In an almost similar situation as his second goal, Bale played a ball out left to Marcelo who then crossed into the area. Instead of the cross taking a deflection off a Valladolid player, it went straight to Bale who stroked it home to complete the scoring.

The win lifts Real Madrid to within three points of league leaders Barcelona who are in action on Sunday. Bale and company will return to action next Saturday in the Copa del Rey versus Olimpic de Xativa.

Twitter: @ArchBell