Sunday 7 May 2017 09:40, UK
Real Madrid moved back level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga after cruising past Granada 4-0 on Saturday night.
In the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez scored twice in the first 11 minutes to send Real on their way, while a quick-fire double from Alvaro Morata gave them a 4-0 lead at the break.
A much-changed Real side should have extended their lead further in the second half, but Sergio Ramos, Danilo and Morata all spurned glorious chances.
Victory puts Real on 84 points alongside Barca, though Zinedine Zidane's side do have the edge with a game in hand over the Catalan giants, who beat Villarreal 4-1 earlier today.
With the match sandwiched between the two Champions League semi-final fixtures with Atletico Madrid, Zinedine Zidane made nine changes, with just Ramos and Casemiro remaining from the XI which enjoyed a 3-0 midweek win over their city rivals in the first leg.
And while Ronaldo was left out of the squad entirely, Karim Benzema, Marcelo and Isco were all among the substitutes as Zidane put faith in his second string.
The tone was set early on when James grabbed his first of the game after three minutes, meeting Lucas Vazquez's cross with his knee from barely a yard out.
Eight minutes later, James had his second of the night after finding himself in acres of space to head in from Fabio Coentrao's fizzed cross.
It was then Morata's turn to clinch a quick-fire double, and it was a devastating counter which handed him his first as Danilo stormed down the right before cutting it back for the Spaniard, whose stunning strike rattled in off the bar.
Real's fourth came when Marco Ansensio picked out Morata for his 20th of the season - the 24-year-old cutting onto his right foot before stroking it home beyond Guillermo Ochoa.
Before the first half came to a close, there was still time for Lucas Vazquez to hit the bar, while he then saw a second effort saved by Ochoa. The rebound then fell to Casemiro, but somehow the midfielder blazed over from 10 yards out with the goal at his mercy.
After the break, Real were guilty of a host of missed chances in their search for a fifth, with Danilo striking the outside of the post just after the hour mark.
Ramos then headed straight at Ochoa before firing wide from six yards out when it was easier to hit the target.
Morata then missed a gilt-edged opportunity to complete his hat-trick, scuffing an effort wide of the mark from barely 10 yards out.
Granada did have their chances towards the end - Martin Hongla blazed over before Adrian Ramos saw one attempt saved by Kiko Casilla and another deflect past the post.
Real now turn their attentions to the Atletico semi on Wednesday, though they do appear to have one foot in the final thanks to Ronaldo's hat-trick in the first leg.
