Football: Ronaldo in Real control after hat-trick

Mourinho’s team won 4-1 to restore 4-point lead over Barca.

MADRID:

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick fired Real Madrid to a 4-1 derby win at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday to restore their four-point cushion over Barcelona at the top of the Primera Liga.

Ronaldo opened after 25 minutes with Falcao getting the equaliser for Atletico after 55 minutes before the Portuguese star wrapped up his hat-trick to make it 40 league goals for the season, one more than Lionel Messi. Jose Callejon got the other goal for the leaders.

“After Barca’s win there was a bit of pressure, but we’re happy with that and we have to look to win the rest of our games,” said Ronaldo.

Jose Mourinho’s assistant Aitor Karanka faced the press afterwards and credited the whole team on the winning performance.

“Ronaldo obviously had a spectacular game, but all the team have shown great character and played well, especially when Atletico levelled the game and had the crowd behind them,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2012.