Cristiano Ronaldo on target as Real Madrid move four points clear

 Cristiano Ronaldo powerful headed goal  helped Real Madrid to a 2-0 victory over Elche on Sunday as the La Liga leaders took advantage of Barcelona’s home defeat by Malaga on Saturday to move four points clear at the top.
Ronaldo almost opened the scoring after four minutes but his curling shot hit the post and thereafter for a while Real struggled to break down opponents who worked hard but were guilty of some aggressive challenges.
Karim Benzema was unlucky when he found the net with an overhead kick only to have the goal disallowed for offside. But it was the France international who gave Real the lead after 56 minutes, sliding a loose ball home from close range with his left foot.
The Elche defender Eduardo Albácar admitted his side had been worn down. “As long as our legs stayed with us we were in it,” he said. “And their first goal was from a bad bounce.But they have enough talent to beat you at any moment.”
Ronaldo then sealed the victory with a powerful header into the top corner from an Isco cross after 70 minutes. It was his 290th goal for Real and moved him to third place in the club’s scoring list behind Raúl on 323 and the late Alfredo Di Stefano on 305.
Real’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas was underemployed in his 500th Spanish league game but he set a club record for being the player to appear in the most wins by Real in La Liga with 328. “I am thankful, this record is not easy to get being a Real Madrid player, maybe in another club it would have been easier,” said Casillas. “I never thought about reaching a certain number.”