Javier Hernandez scores double in Real Madrid victory over Celta Vigo

Javier Hernandez continued his goalscoring spurt with a double, as Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo 4-2 to keep their Liga title chances alive.

The on-loan Manchester United striker kept his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting lineup following his game-winning goal against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and made the most of his opportunity by scoring his fourth goal in his last three starts.

The home side took the game to the Galacticos from the start, taking an early lead through Nolito. However, Toni Kroos hit back for Real Madrid before Hernandez gave them the lead soon after with a tidy near post finish following some neat build-up play down the left wing.

But Celta hit back again with an equaliser from Santi Mina, although James Rodriguez regained the advantage for the visitors just before the break, squeezing a finish from the edge of the box just inside the near after a cruel deflection off two opposition defenders.

And Hernandez capped the scoring with a well-taken fourth from a Sergio Ramos pass, taking a excellent first touch to set him up for an assured finish past the Celta Vigo goalkeeper. Real Madrid trail table-toppers Barcelona by just two points with five games left to play.

6’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 1 Real Madrid 0: What a fantastic goal! Celta break on the counter attack, with Nolito jinking through a couple chances before finding the bottom corner.

14’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 1 Real Madrid 1: Ronaldo gets to the byline and cuts it back, with the ball eventually falling to Kroos 10 yards out - who finds the corner of the net with a controlled finish.

24’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 1 Real Madrid 2: Fantastic goal! Hernandez plays a give and go with James, working his way into the box and finishing at the near post. Wonderful finish.

29’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 2 Real Madrid 2: The home side have hit back! Mina breaks the Real Madrid offside trap, hits the post with his first effort but tucks home the rebound.

41’ WOODWORK: Ronaldo hits the post! The Real Madrid number seven breaks through the Celta Vigo backline at pace, and squeezes a reverse shot past Sergio in goals. But his effort comes back off the woodwork.

44’ GOAL! Celta 2 Real Madrid 3: That was a gift! Celta give up the ball easily, with James shooting from the edge of the box. The effort took a deflection and ended up in the near corner of the net.

59’ OPPORTUNITY: Oh Isco! A Ronaldo shot is deflected out to Isco on the right side, with the playmaker completely unmarked. But he takes to long over his shot and Sergio comes off his line to smother it.

61’ BIG CALL: The referee has a big decision to make. Orellana goes down in the penalty area under the challenge of a Real Madrid defender, but the man in the middle decides that it wasn't a spot kick.

65’ CLEARANCE: Marcelo gets away with one! A flick on at the near post gives Real Madrid a problem from a corner kick, with the left back sticking out a wild leg to deflect the ball towards his own goal. But Carvajal clears off the line!

66’ MISSED CHANCE: Ronaldo's final ball needed to be better! For the first time in this second half Real Madrid spring out on the break, with Ronaldo trying to find Hernandez in behind. But the pass was too strong and Hernandez can only lash past the near post.

71’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 2 Real Madrid 4: What a fantastic finish! The touch from Hernandez to take it down was excellent and his finish was assured.

In his last eight games as a starter for Real Madrid, Javier Hernandez has scored six goals and has contributed two assists.

Real Madrid had not scored more than three goals in the first half of a match in Vigo since 1986.

At just 19 years and 140 days old Santi Mina became the youngest to score in La Liga against Real Madrid since 2007.

Isco’s dismal form must be a concern for Carlo Ancelotti - There was a debate in the Spanish press earlier in the season, which pitted two Real Madrid attackers against each other: Isco or Bale? Most opted for the former, with the playmaker among the Galacticos’ most sparkling stars. Much has changed since then, with Isco falling into a dismal slump of form over the past month or so. If it weren’t for injuries to key players, he surely would have been benched by now.

Javier Hernandez, Real Madrid - The on-loan Manchester United striker was made to wait for his chance at Real Madrid, but Hernandez has taken it when it has come. The Mexican has now scored four goals in his last three starts for Los Blancos and has found a vein or form at just the right time - with first-choice striker Karim Benzema out injured. His streak prompts the question: should Ancelotti have shown more faith in Hernandez earlier in the season?

Celta Vigo - Sergio 6, Jonny 5, Fontas 6, Cabral 5, Mallo 6, Krohn-Dehli 5, Augusto 5, Orellana 7, Nolito 8, Larrivey 7, Santi Mina 7. Subs - Bongonda 5, Charles 5, Hernandez 5.

Real Madrid - Casillas 5, Marcelo 5, Ramos 6, Varane 5, Carvajal 6, Isco 5, Kroos 7, Illarramendi 5, James 7, Ronaldo 7, Hernandez 8. Subs - Pepe 6, Jese, Arbeloa.