Madrid broke the deadlock 31 minutes into the game, with Karim Benzema striking into the bottom corner of the net after playing a one-two with Daniel Carvajal.

Isco made sure of the result five minutes from the end, racing onto Cristiano Ronaldo's ball before driving an effort into the roof of net.

And there was still time for Nacho Fernandez to add a third in the 88th minute, heading home the rebound from close range after Gareth Bale's free kick had hit the crossbar.

Luis Suarez and Neymar led the way as Barcelona bested Granada to keep pace with Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Barcelona kept up the pressure on Real as they won 4-1 at struggling Granada.

Luis Suarez put Barca -- without Lionel Messi for this game due to a one-match suspension -- in front in the 44th minute with a sublime lobbed finish.

Granada sprung a surprise by levelling five minutes into the second half through Jeremie Boga, before fellow substitute Paco Alcacer restored the visitors' lead in the 64th minute.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 82nd when Uche Agbo was sent off, and a minute later Ivan Rakitic's shot went in off Mathieu Saunier, with Neymar then adding a fourth for Luis Enrique's men in stoppage time.

It means the gap between second-placed Barca and leaders Real Madrid, who have a game in hand, is back to two points.

Granada remain second-bottom, eight points adrift of safety.

Sevilla slumped to their fourth La Liga game without a win after being held to a goalless draw at home by lowly Sporting Gijon.

And it could have been even worse for Sevilla after referee Inaki Bikandi reversed a decision to award the visitors a penalty after a trip in the box after half an hour.

Bikandi initially pointed to the spot, only to realise one of his assistants had also raised his flag for offside against a Gijon player, giving Sevilla a let-off.

Valencia ran out 3-0 winners over Deportivo La Coruna at the Mestalla.

Ezequiel Garay, Joao Cancelo and a Raul Albentosa own goal boosted Los Che into 13th place with the victory.