Madrid, Dec 18 (IANS): Real Madrid returned to the top of the Spanish La Liga football with a convincing 6-2 win away against Sevilla Saturday night.

Madrid went into the game needing a point to return to the top of the table following last week's 3-1 home defeat to Barcelona. But any doubts about them being in low spirits were cleared when Cristiano Ronaldo put the visitors ahead after just 10 minutes.

Javier Callejon and a second Ronaldo goal made it 3-0 before halftime, although Pepe was sent off for two yellow cards to leave Madrid with just 10 men.

Angel di Maria made it 4-0, with Ronaldo and Hamit Altintop rounding off the scoring. Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo scored consolation goals for the home side, who lost by the same score last season.

Elsewhere Athletic Club Bilbao played for 70 minutes with 10 men to defeat Zaragoza 2-1.

Markel Susaeta opened the scoring in the seventh minute for the home side, who totally controlled the game, but found themselves down to 10 men in the 21st minute after Javi Martinez was shown a direct red card for a supposed foul on Angel Lafita.

TV replays showed the defender had won the ball, but Ponzio levelled from the penalty spot.

Zaragoza were unable to break down their rivals and Gaizka Toquero sent the home fans wild five minutes from time when he finished off a flowing team move.

Mallorca lost 2-1 at home to an improving Getafe. Two goals from Abdelaziz Barrada cancelling out Ivan Ramis' opener for the home side while Espanyol won 2-1 away to Sporting Gijon with goals from Thievy Bifouma and Sergio Garcia. Davud Barral scored for the hosts.