MALLORCA TODAY - Real Madrid 5 : 2 Real Mallorca

Mallorca, two successive wins under their belt, away at Madrid: a tough assignment. Dos Santos went close after only two minutes and four minutes later, even better. One-nil to Mallorca. Nsue heading in from Dos Santos's cross. Shortlived euphoria. One-all, Higuain after 14 minutes, and then Dos Santos again keeping López busy with a shot. Astonishingly, as Madrid were dominating, it became two-one to Mallorca six minutes later, this time Alfaro heading in. Ronaldo hit the post, Kaka saw Aouate produce a save, Ronaldo had a free kick, another shot, but the break came with Mallorca still in the lead.

With Mourinho opting to attack, bringing Benzema on for Arbeloa for the second period, Madrid were level again thanks to Ronaldo's header. And then, there was another. Modric. Three-two. Make that, four-two, Higuain three minutes later, thanks to Özil's assist.

Manzano appeared to have conceded. Mourinho, bringing Alonso on, had played all his substitution aces, while Mallorca had played none, until Hemed replaced Nsue with 25 minutes left and almost grabbed a third for Mallorca. But Madrid were now totally in control. Ronaldo drew a fine save from Aouate and he (Ronaldo) was a threat to the end, setting Benzema up, but Aouate denying Madrid a fifth. Not that he could stop Benzema adding the fifth in added time.

Next up for Mallorca (on 31 March) - at home to bottom-club Deportivo, four points behind Mallorca. A possible win for Mallorca, though Depor showed some sign of revival on Friday by winning for once, albeit at home to fellow relegation-strugglers Vigo.

Madrid:
López; Arbeloa (Benzema 45), Varane, Ramos, Coentrao; Pepe, Modric; Morata (Özil 45), Kaka (Alonso 62), Ronaldo; Higuain
Goals: Higuain (14, 56), Ronaldo (51), Modric (53), Benzema (90)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Hutton, Nunes, Bigas, Kevin; Pina, Tissone (Fontás 83); Nsue (Hemed 65), Añfaro, Dos Santos; Victor (Pereira 78)
Goals: Nsue (6), Alfaro (21)
Yellow: Hutton (89)