Mid-Day

With joint leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both winning over the weekend, the pressure was on Madrid to at least keep the deficit on their Primera Division rivals to eight points. They came through the test in Mallorca, with Gonzalo Higuain opening the scoring in the eighth minute before adding his second in-between Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (left) celebrates a goal with teammate Angel Di Maria during Sunday’s La Liga match. Pic/Getty Images

Substitute Jose Maria Callejon added further gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time as the visitors bounced back from their mid-week Champions League defeat in some style.

Mourinho is not unduly concerned by the gap already opened up between Madrid and the two frontrunners.

“We keep going in the right direction. Last season we had a 10 point advantage over the second-placed team in March, and we felt that the league was still up for grabs,” the Portuguese added.

“Now it is not March, it is October and not 10 points difference, we have eight points to make up.

“You have to keep cutting the lead to the direct competition, in this instance our competition are also Atletico Madrid because they have got a good head start on us.”