Real Madrid 5 - 1 Ponferradina (Spanish Cup Last 32 2nd Leg)

Real Madrid did their homework before leaving the holidays: they top the league table with a three-point cushion, they've made it to the UCL Last 16 having the best run in the history of the championship's group stage, and they've also reached the Copa del Rey Last 16. Mourinho's men sealed 2011 brilliantly, looking to keep the streak up throughout 2012.

Callejon's Cup

Many new faces made the starting lineup, including academy left back Casado. Mourinho wanted to give other players a chance to shine, but he still used Pepe, Ozil, Khedira and Benzema in the starting eleven. The Whites took things slowly against Ponferradina, who intended to leave a good impression at the Bernabeu.

Real kept possession and eventually scored through Callejon, who defeated the keeper with a crossed shot after receiving a long pass from Ozil. Ponferradina did not give up and tried to stand their ground. The match unfolded without much ado until Callejon nearly scored again on the 25-minute mark sending the ball to the crossbar. The Madridistas' second strike arrived just before half-time when Sahin headed in a corner-kick served by Ozil (44').

Right after half-time, Granero served a free-kick that was cleared by the goalkeeper. The ball was picked up by Varane, who tallied the third strike (48'). Ponferradina tried to fight back and looked for a goal of their own to save face, eventually finding it through Acoran, who defeated Adan from outside the box.

The strike encouraged the visitors to look for another goal, but Real Madrid continued to control the match albeit without having many more chances to score. Mourinho allowed the academy's Nacho to come on for Casado. Benzema then had a couple chances to tally a fourth, but he was unlucky.

The French striker was replaced by Joselu in the 77th minute and the youth teamer only needed 20 seconds to net the fourth after receiving a pass from Callejon on the goal-line. Pacheco came on for Adan a few minutes later (82'), becoming the 14th academy player to make his official debut with Mourinho.

Callejon sealed the match with another goal assisted by Sahin, and he nearly scored a third of his own had it not been by a good save from Orlando.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 52,000
Goals: 1-0, m.25: Callejón. 2-0, m.44: Sahin. 3-0, m.48: Varane. 3-1, m.53: Acorán. 4-1, m.78: Joselu. 5-1, m.88: Callejón.

Sevilla 2 - 6 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 17)

Real Madrid pulled rank in Seville, defeating Sevilla 2-6 at the Sanchez Pizjuan. The victory allows the Whites to be sole leaders on the table. Cristiano Ronaldo, whom so many criticised this past week, gave a stellar performance and scored a hat-trick, bringing his total tally up to 20 strikes to top the Pichichi Trophy table on his own.

Super-Cristiano scored a hat-trick to destroy Sevilla

Callejon made the starting lineup, having gained the confidence of Mourinho thanks to his excellent performances of late. Both teams upped the pace of the game in the opening minutes, with Sevilla putting pressure in attack and preventing Real Madrid from creating ball movement comfortably. Di Maria soon came to the fore, serving an amazing assist to Ronaldo, who started the pour (10').

Hurt, Sevilla put Iker Casillas to the test time and again, forcing the keeper to make a spectacular save similar to that against Perotti at the same venue back in 2009: Navas served a ball on the goal-line to Manu del Moral, whose shot the keeper sent to the post following an amazing stretch (12'). Casillas again saved the day against Trochowski (16') in what proved to be the most difficult moments in the match for Real.

The Whites gradually got rid of the local's pressure and, on the 37-minute mark, Di Maria again served an impossible assist to Callejon, who scored from a slight touch on the ball over Varas' exit. The strike hurt Sevilla and Ronaldo used this to finish them off with an impressive 25-metre goal (40'). Pepe was sent off three minutes later with a second booking, forcing Mourinho to replace Callejon with Albiol.

The locals tried to cut distances short after half-time, but the Madridistas continued to have chances to score. Eventually, Benzema served a great ball to Di Maria, who broke the offside and defeated Varas with ease (65'). The Argentine was replaced one minute later by Khedira. Sevilla were battered and bruised, but they still tried for a goal and Navas defeated Casillas on the 69-minute mark with a crossed shot.

Real still wanted more. Manu del Moral was sent off in the 73rd minute for a late challenge on Arbeloa and Fazio then brought Benzema down in the box, giving a penalty to the Whites that was converted by Ronaldo. The French striker was hurt and Altintop took his place. The Turkish midfielder scored the team's sixth strike three minutes later, his first for Real Madrid (88'). Negredo eventually tallied a second goal for the locals in injury time.

Summary

Stadium: Sanchez Pizjuan
Attendance: 40,000
Goals: 1-0, M.10: Cristiano Ronaldo. 0-2, M.37: Callejón. 0-3, M.40: Cristiano Ronaldo. 0-4, M.65: Di María. 1-4, M.69: Navas. 1-5, M.85: Cristiano Ronaldo. 1-6, M.88: Altintop. 2-6, M.91: Negredo.