Madrid: Real Madrid fought their way to a vital 3-2 win against Valencia in a La Liga clash at Mestalla on Saturday, despite the home side rallying well in the second-half.
A goal of real class mid-way through the first half from Karim Benzema gave Madrid the lead, with further goals from Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo sealing the win despite Roberto Soldado scoring a second-half brace for the hosts.
Valencia marked a fast pace at the Mestalla stadium, but Madrid's individual talent and disciplined defense kept them in control in a physical contest marked by various bookings until a wild final 15 minutes.
The game started at a frenetic pace with both sides looking to push forward whenever possible. Valencia had their first shot within the very first minute while Real Madrid nearly took the lead on 10 minutes when Karim Benzema flashed a well-struck shot wide from the edge of the area.
The French international made no mistake with his next chance, controlling a quick free-kick from Xabi Alonso brilliantly with his left foot before rifling a fantastic volley into the back of the net from 18 yards to give his side the lead.
Madrid were beginning to enjoy themselves as the half wore on, Sami Khedira having an explosive shot chalked off for offside. Ronaldo, meanwhile, was at his efferevescent best, indulging in a series of keepie-ups whilst running with the ball in the middle of the pitch.
However, it wasn't all going Mourinho's side's way, with former Real Madrid academy player Dani Parejo going close, before Valencia had a penalty appeal turned down by the referee Jose Antonio Teixeira Vitienes.
Ronaldo nearly made it 2-0 just before half-time, racing through on goal only to see his effort pushed away well by Diego Alves.
Valencia went close to equalising shortly after the break as well, Jeremy Mathieu sliding a tantalising ball across Iker Casillas' six-yard box with Roberto Soldado inches away from diverting the ball into the net.
Madrid began to lose their discipline as Valencia looked to being edging their way back into the game, Ronaldo, Marcelo and Mesut Ozil all finding their way into the referee's book in quick succession.
Despite their ill-discipline, it was Madrid that got the next goal of the game, Sergio Ramos heading home from an inviting Mesut Ozil corner. The goal appeared to give Madrid the breathing space they needed to see out the rest of the game.
Valencia, however, had other ideas, Soldado rifling home a volley through a crowded penalty area to make it 2-1 after Pablo Hernandez's shot appeared to have been pushed away to safety.
Ronaldo soon restored Madrid's two-goal lead with his 14th goal of the season, a fine finish from an acute angle after Diego Alves had wrongly rushed from his line to meet the attacker.
The end-to-end nature of the game was far from over however, Soldado again getting in on the act, the in-form forward grabbing his second of the game after superb build-up play from Pablo on the wing.
The game ended in controversy as Valencia's players surrounded the referee after Ronaldo had appeared to block a last-minute goal-bound effort with his arm.
An eleventh win in a row maintains Madrid's three-point lead over Barcelona at the top of the table. Valencia, meanwhile, are now seven points off the pace in La Liga, but can take pride from the manner of their second-half performance.
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