Good evening and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Liga clash between Real Madrid and Villarreal. We'll bring you all the action and goals as they go in at the Santiago Bernabeu. Kick-off: 19:00.

What did you make of the game? Are Real Madrid now favourites for the league title? Is Bale starting to justify his world record transfer fee? Tweet me (@grahamruthven)!

In the end Real Madrid emerge with a comfortable win but for most of the match Villarreal made them work for it. Bale was outstanding in the first half but faded as the game went on, which is understandable. Jese and Benzema stepped it up after the break. Cristiano who?

FULL TIME: Real Madrid 4-2 Villarreal

This result will keep the title race bubbling, between Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. This is shaping up to be the best La Liga title race in quite some time and all three teams continue to look strong. Who will be the first one to bow out? Not Real on this evidence.

Two minutes of stoppage time to be played at the end of the second half.

Asenjo's poor clearance is picked up by Bale inside the box, but the ball gets stuck under the winger's feet and Real Madrid can't take advantage of the mistake. Unfortunate for Real Madrid, fortunate for Villarreal.

Modric swings a corner into the box from the right side, but with Ramos set to make contact he mistimes his jump and can't make a connection. That would have been the icing on the cake for Real Madrid.

I suspect Bale wouldn't have played the full 90 minutes had it not been for the injuries to Coentrao and Marcelo in the first half. The Welsh winger has faded in the last 15 minutes or so, but I suppose that's to be expected.

So life without Ronaldo isn't too bad for Real Madrid. With Jese, Bale and Benzema on the pitch I don't think Real Madrid will have too many problems, even without their iconic number seven.

Arbeloa has been solid since coming on at left back at the break. He's very dependable, and that's why he's invaluable as a player to Real Madrid.

Real Madrid are enjoying themselves, knocking the ball around the centre of midfield and toying with their opposition. However, there's not much urgency from Los Blancos. Do they know another goal would take them top?

I'm not sure Villarreal have much more left in the tank. They've given it a good go and have impressed at times but they've been beaten by a better team. To be fair, Real Madrid are better than most teams.

So now the focus for Real Madrid turns to whether they can find the fifth goal that would take them top of La Liga, at least until Atletico Madrid kick off later tonight. They would go top on goal difference if they win by three clear goals.

Real Madrid are enjoying themselves now, especially Modric. The Croatian's name rings round the Bernabeu. It seems a lifetime ago that the midfielder was named the worst signing in La Liga last season.

Another excellent goal. From the edge of the box Benzema just guided the ball into the bottom corner, taking Jese's pass first time with the side of his right foot. Shows you don't need to blast the ball from that distance.

GOAL! Real Madrid 4 (75 mins - Karim Benzema) Villarreal 2. And that should be that. Real Madrid come forward on the break, with Jese passing to Benzema on the edge of the box, who picks his spot with a first time shot into the bottom corner.

Remember both sides have made all three chances so what you see is all you're going to get. This is it until the full time whistle, which should help the flow of the game. Could be an entertaining last 15 minutes.

How do Real Madrid approach this final 15 minutes or so? With Alonso now on the pitch do they sit deep and try and pass out the game, or do they go for the throat to try and ensure all three points?