Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 27th career hat-trick and Gareth Bale struck twice as Real Madrid bounced back in style from consecutive defeats with a thumping 8-2 La Liga win at Deportivo La Coruna yesterday.

Champions Atletico Madrid were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Celta Vigo, who took the lead through an audacious backheel by Pablo Hernandez and fought back from 2-1 down to earn a deserved point.

Portugal captain Ronaldo, the World Player of the Year, put Real ahead with a 29th-minute header at the Riazor before new signing James Rodriguez hit a stunning strike in the 36th.

The Colombian picked up the ball just outside the penalty area and whipped a curling left-foot effort into the far corner past Depor goalkeeper German Lux.

Lux gifted Real a slapstick third shortly before half-time when he became stranded outside his area and let in Ronaldo to score his second.

Haris Medunjanin pulled a goal back for Depor from a penalty in the 50th minute after the referee ruled Sergio Ramos had handled before Bale sque-ezed a low shot in the 66th.

The Wales winger scored his second 16 minutes from time when he ran on to a pass from substitute Isco and clipped the ball over Lux into the far corner.

Ronaldo completed his hat-trick four minutes later, Jose Verdu headed a second for Depor in the 84th and Javier Hernandez came off the bench and scored a quickfire double as the home side crumbled.

Primera Liga

Played yesterday
Deportivo vs R. Madrid - 2-8
Ath. Bilbao vs Granada - 0-1
Atl. Madrid vs Celta Vigo - 2-2
Espanyol vs Malaga - 2-2