The last time Real Madrid won La Liga Villarreal finished as runners-up to the capital city club. Despite a disappointing fifth place finish the following year, the Yellow Submarine were impressive during a Champions League run that saw the Valencian side into the quarter-finals of the European tournament.

This season the frustration continues at El Madrigal, tenth in the table, while former coach Manuel Pellegrini is leading Los Blancos towards reclaiming the league title from holders Barcelona. With the aforementioned Catalan club responding to their first league defeat resoundingly, a 4-0 dismantling of Racing Santander, the focus of Spanish football fans was centered on the Bernabeu on Sunday to see if Madrid could keep pace.

They did, emphatically.

Ronaldo celebrates the first of six for Madrid ©Getty Images

Real Madrid responded to last Tuesday's disconcerting first leg Champions League loss with a resonant 6-2 defeat of a quality club. Madrid dominated possession and created the majority of chances on net, returning from their sudden loss of form in Southern France five days earlier; however, on two occasions Villarreal pulled within a goal of the hosts, threatening to steal points Madrid cannot afford to lose.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit a superb set piece to start the scoring in the 18th minute, celebrating by emotionally lifting his shirt to honor victims in his hometown, which had been ravaged by floods earlier in the day. Kaka would put home a penalty to double the host's advantage two minutes later after Gonzalo Higuain was taken down attempting to put home a low cross and the referee rightly pointed to the spot.

Marcos Senna would halve the lead with a marvelous set piece of his own less than fifteen minutes from the break. An all too common theme this year saw Madrid controlling the game yet unable to separate from Villarreal thanks in part to the Spanish international’s well-taken free kick. Higuain would hit his first of two less than ten minutes into the second half only to have Nilmar restore the advantage to one goal twelve minutes later. Higuain and Kaka would then both hit their doubles to seal three points for Los Blancos while Xabi Alonso scored from the spot in the waning minutes of the game after a questionable penalty was awarded.

Too often have Real dominated in a fashion similar to Sunday night but without the goals to show for their efforts. The inability to finish has been a problem for Madrid's attack at points throughout the year; however, save for last Tuesday's trip to France, it seems that the capital side's improved form is affecting all aspects of the team, including their finishing. Pellegrini's men responded like champions to Tuesday's defeat at Lyon by embarrassing the Valencian side at the Bernabeu. A fortnight and two league games remain until Real will have the chance to continue towards European glory but, for now, Los Blancos must continue to improve their form and keep the pressure on Barcelona.