Madrid should have added to their lead, but Ronaldo was denied by goalkeeper Diego Alves while Karim Benzema and Mahamadou Diarra also missed good chances.

CNN: Real Madrid win cuts Barcelona's lead

Lionel Messi capitalized on the chance and chipped the ball over the wall and into the corner of the net with Almeria goalkeeper Diego Alves caught flat-footed.

CNN: Real Madrid go top in Spanish La Liga as Barca held

Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves had to save twice from Germany midfielder Sami Khedira before Ronaldo made headway down the left and crossed for Di Maria to tap into an empty net.

CNN: Ronaldo inspires Real Madrid to rout at Valencia

He took only three minutes to settle the nerves around a noisy Stamford Bridge, taking advantage of good work by Valencia old boy Juan Mata to roll a left-foot finish beyond Diego Alves.

BBC: europe

With eight minutes remaining, Ronaldo went down under the challenge of the onrushing Diego Alves, but the goalkeeper saved his resulting penalty -- however, Karim Benzema followed up to smash in the rebound to put Real ahead.

CNN: Ronaldo the hero despite sending-off

Valencia moved up to fourth place with a 3-0 win at 10-man Almeria thanks to second-half goals from David Villa, Pablo Hernandez and Mata -- the latter two coming after home goalkeeper Diego Alves was sent off.

CNN: Barcelona return to winning ways with Zaragoza rout