Real Madrid 6-0 Espanyol: Cristiano Ronaldo scores a perfect hat-trick - 5 things we learned

In addition to Ronaldo's treble, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez scored to sink Espanyol and move within one point of rivals Atletico

Real Madrid moved within one point of second-place Atletico in La Liga after hammering Espanyol 6-0 at the Bernabeu.

Karim Benzema's opener was followed by a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty and a third from James Rodriguez.

But it was the Portugal captain's second that really stood out. A series of deft touches left two defenders chasing shadows before his left-footed shot nestled into the top corner of the goal.

Ronaldo then completed his hat-trick with a header before an own goal meant Madrid made it back-to-back 6-0 wins against Espanyol this season.

Here are five things we learned from the match.

1. Ronaldo loves playing Espanyol

Ronaldo scored five against Espanyol earlier in the season, and netted a hat-trick against them in the league in May.

Three more followed tonight - the second a superb effort from outside the box after his quick feet made fools of two defenders.

Constantin Gâlcă's side will be hoping he really is off in the summer.

2. Madrid are starting quick under Zidane

While Barcelona have been struggling for first-half form in recent weeks and months, Real Madrid are finding quite the opposite at the moment, particularly at home.

This was Zinedine Zidane’s third game in charge at the Bernabeu and his charges have scored 11 first-half goals. They strike hard and they strike early, leaving their opposition chasing the game or - in the case of some visiting sides - simply to give up.

It’s worth noting that Zidane is yet to beat any side of real quality and the draw at Real Betis was a big disappointment, but there’s no doubt that his honeymoon period is seeing lots of goals and it is seeing them early.

3. Zizou keeping fringe players happy

While certain Benitez favourites have been dismissed from the first-team picture completely - like Denis Cheryshev, who Rafa asked to keep in the squad amid loan offers last summer - Zidane’s hefty wins in these opening games have allowed him to hand gametime to players that simply weren’t getting it before.

Jese’s cameo today saw him get two assists, while the previously frustrated pair of Isco and James Rodriguez both started. Casemiro emerged from the bench, and while he’s not the regular he was in the Autumn he is at least seeing the field under the new boss. Dani Carvajal has indubitably won back the right-back berth from Danilo and Lucas Vazquez, who has barely featured under Zidane, played some second-half minutes.

Players have commented that their new boss has “more empathy” than Benitez did and it is easy to see why Zizou might be an easier guy for elite footballers to talk to. It’s no secret that certain squad members used to mock Rafa for his lack of playing career, but Zidane raises no such issues.

Bigger tests are yet to come but there’s no doubt that, right now, Zidane’s running a fairly happy ship.

4. Less is more for this Madrid side

When it comes to input from their managers, this Real Madrid crop seem to think that less is more. Zinedine Zidane's appointment as head coach earlier this year has been followed by three wins and a draw.

Sixteen goals have been scored in those games, and this side are playing with a freedom Rafa Benitez seemed to dull in them.

This squad looked fractious under the micro-managing styles of Benitez and Mourinho. But, just as it did under Ancelotti, Zidane's more relaxed approach is delivering results.

5. Espanyol never stood a chance, but they're one to watch

Espanyol, traditionally a side that get stuffed by Real Madrid, got stuffed by Real Madrid.

But this isn't the sort of game that will define their season.

The Pericos are undergoing a big change and their new Chinese owners have promised Champions League football inside three years. Such claims are ambitious to the extent of being ludicrous and, as clubs like Malaga have shown, there is an Icarus effect to be feared with La Liga nouveau riche.

Curiously, one of the first major bits of business for the new owners is very likely to be selling their star striker, Felipe Caicedo, who is expected to depart the club tomorrow but some of their early signings have been interesting and in the summer we'll get a better idea of what China can bring to this more overlooked corner of Barcelona.

One to keep an eye on...