It didn’t last long for Real Madrid and even less for Atlético as Barcelona return to the top of the pile after a 3-0 win over Málaga, Piqué, Pedro and Sanchez the scorers.

Atlético Madrid have moved to the top of La Liga pending Barcelona’s Sunday evening encounter with Málaga after a 2-4 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Real Madrid are top of the pile pending Sunday’s matches after a 2-0 victory over Granada, Ronaldo and Benzema the scorers.

It has become a three-way battle for La Liga after Atletico Madrid and Barcelona both drew their respective matches on Sunday evening and are now only one point ahead of Real Madrid.

Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema, Di Maria and Morata were all on target as Real moved up above neighbours Atlético, at least until Sunday, with a 0-5 demolition of Real Betis.

Málaga are languishing down in 14th place in La Liga following a 1-0 defeat at Levante on Sunday, Barral the scorer after nineteen minutes

A header from Pepe was enough to see Real Madrid close to within three points of the leaders as they claimed a 0-1 victory at Espanyol. Back to a three-horse race for the title.

Barcelona and Atlético Madrid played out a 0-0 draw to remain locked together at the top of La Liga, a result which probably benefits Real Madrid more than either of the leaders. Provided Real Madrid can beat Espanyol on Sunday, of course.

Two goals from Ronaldo and one from Benzema, all in the second half, gave Real Madrid a 3-0 victory over Celta de Vigo on Monday evening and they remain five points behind the leaders.

Barcelona bounced back to the top of the pile with a 4-0 win over Elche, a hat-trick from Alexis Sanchez and one goal from Pedro doing the damage.