Rampant Real Madrid are on course to shatter all Spanish league records after defeating lowly Racing Santander 4-0.
Karim Benzema was the two-goal hero.
It was the Whites’ eighth straight league win and gives them a massive 13-point lead over Barcelona, who host third-place Valencia on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho’s team now have 61 points from 23 games, having dropped just eight. This leaves them on course to break the all-time record of 99 points, established by Barca two years ago.
With 79 goals, Real are well placed to break their own 1990 record of 107.
Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday gave the hosts the lead after just six minutes, heading in from close range – despite a suspicion of offside – after Kaka had cleverly headed across goal.
It was Ronaldo’s 28th league goal and leaves him on course to beat the 40-goal record that he set last season.
Santander, who are third from bottom, were reduced to 10 men when defender Domingo Cisma foolishly picked up a second yellow card for handball.
In the best form of his career, Benzema made it 2-0 just before halftime with a powerful, left-footed drive after a free-kick from Xabi Alonso.
The one-way traffic continued into the second half. Winger Angel di Maria, out injured for a month, came off the subs’ bench and made it 3-0 with one of his trademark left-footed long drives.
Benzema completed the rout in stoppage time after being set up by Sami Khedira.
The easy win will put Real in good heart ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash at CSKA Moscow.
Earlier Saturday, Espanyol missed a chance to go fourth, being held 1-1 at Getafe.
The promising Alvaro Vazquez gave Espanyol the lead 24 minutes from time with a precise low drive, after being set up by Hector Moreno.
Just five minutes later, Getafe were given a penalty for a foul by Thievy Bifouma on Miku, and the Venezuelan striker got up to calmly convert the spot-kick.
Espanyol’s hopes of snatching a win went up in smoke 10 minutes from time when defender Ernesto Galan was sent off.
Victory in Getafe would have put Espanyol all alone in fourth place. Now they are level on 32 points with Levante, who enjoy a superior goal difference.