Real Madrid 5-1 Valencia: Player ratings as Los Blancos run riot

Real Madrid will head into the November international break one point off the top of La Liga after thrashing Valencia 5-1 on Saturday night.

Los Blancos moved to within two points of table-toppers Girona with a fine result and performance to boot at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Carlo Ancelotti's side returned to their ruthless best despite missing Jude Bellingham, who sat out the game with a shoulder injury.

With just over two minutes on the clock, Real Madrid broke the deadlock. Toni Kroos' long switch of play was brought down expertly by Dani Carvajal, who was afforded extra time to control the ball due to a slip from Jose Gaya, and the right-back lashed in a half-volley with his weaker left foot at the near post from the edge of the box.

Kroos went close to adding a goal of his own minutes later when his free-kick from 20 yards cannoned back off the crossbar.

Valencia were causing problems in the Real Madrid box, too. Hugo Duro found space to turn and fire at goal from six yards out, forcing a low save out of Andriy Lunin.

Duro again spurned a great chance to equalise when he raced beyond Carvajal to meet a through ball from Sergi Canos, but Lunin again stood tall to keep the hosts ahead.

Straight down the other end, Vinicius Junior twice went close to doubling Real Madrid's lead, dancing his way into the box from the wing before seeing his shot deflected wide off of Gabriel Paulista. From the resulting corner, he fired into the side netting after Valencia were caught napping.

Valencia continued to ask question of Real Madrid. A deep cross from Pepelu following a short corner routine again found Duro, but again he failed to find the net, heading narrowly wide at the back post.

Within seconds of that chance, Real Madrid made