A superb first-half strike from James Rodriguez was followed up by an own goal and an Alvaro Arbeloa effort to hand Real Madrid a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Almeria, as Los Blancos closed the gap on Barcelona to just two points, leaving the title race wide open with four games left.
Carlo Ancelotti selected a rather understrength side, with the likes of Daniel Carvajal and Sergio Ramos missing through suspension, meaning players such as Arbeloa and Raphael Varane recieved a rare start, whilst 16-year-old Martin Odegaard made the bench. Iker Casillas, Isco and Marcelo were all rested.
The selection changes seemed to have taken an unwanted turn for the hosts as they struggled to get going in the opening stages, as James headed an Arbeloa cross over before Cristiano Ronaldo tried his luck from a set-piece, seeing his free-kick bounce off the top of the net.
It was just before half-time when Madrid finally took their expected lead, with an absolutely magnificent strike from James. A clipped ball from Toni Kroos into the Almeria area was sluggishly headed away, allowing the Colombian to fire a left-footed half volley into the top left hand corner, leaving goalkeeper Ruben Martinez for dead.
Los Blancos came out for the second-half with a quicker tempo, possibly after a half-time dressing down from Ancelotti. Either way, they doubled their lead five minutes after the break through a Mauro Dos Santos own goal. A low cross from Kroos forced Dos Santos into action, as Ronaldo was lurking behind him but the defender could only see the ball slice off him and into the net.
The next half-an-hour wasn't the best of Madrid's season, and Almeria were only too happy to avoid an embarrasing by allowing the home team to keep possession ticking over in front of their defence.
Just as the game was seemingly drawing to a close at 2-0, the unlikliest of sources added to Madrid's lead. Javier Hernandez continued his good form, providing the assist as his slide rule cross was tapped in at the back post by Arbeloa, the full-back's first goal for seven years and his first league goal for Madrid. If Arbeloa wasn't there, then Ronaldo would have slotted in himself, and the Portugese superstar was visibly frustrated at being denied a goal by his team-mate, shaking his head as he moved back into position.
Eyebrows were raised as Ancelotti decided to bring on Nacho Fernandez as Madrid's final change, instead of Odegaard, denying the Norwegian the chance to become Madrid's youngest ever player, but it made no difference as they finished 3-0 winners.
For now, Madrid have closed the gap on title leaders Barcelona to just two points as we enter the final few games of the season, whilst Almeria will be looking over their shoulders, as they lie just two points above the relegation zone.