(MENAFN- Arab Times) Javier Hernandez struck twice as Real Madrid kept the pressure on Barcelona at the top of La Liga by reducing the Catalans' lead to two points with a enthralling 4-2 win at Celta Vigo. Nolito fired the hosts into an early lead before goals from Toni Kroos and Hernandez turned the game around.
Santi Mina brought Celta level, but James Rodriguez's deflected effort put Madrid in front once more before the break and Hernandez rounded off the scoring in style 22 minutes from time.
Hernandez had starred with the only goal of the tie as Real beat Atletico Madrid for the first time in eight meetings this season to reach the Champions League semi-finals in midweek.
However, they were pushed onto the back foot straight away by a Celta side that had already claimed the scalps of Barcelona and Atletico in La Liga this season.
Nolito opened the scoring after just nine minutes as he eased past the weak challenges of Dani Carvajal and Asier Illarramendi before leaving Iker Casillas flat-footed with a low shot that rolled in at the near post.
Celta's lead lasted only seven minutes as Cristiano Ronaldo's dangerous cross from the right was cleared only as far as Kroos at the edge of the area and the German curled home just his second goal for Madrid.
The visitors then went in front as Hernandez's scoring streak continued with a fine low finish after a neat one-two with Rodriguez.
Yet, again the lead was short-lived when Fabio Orellana's through ball split the Madrid defence wide open and Mina slotted into an empty net at the second attempt after his initial effort came back off the post.
Standings
P W D L GF GA Pts
Barcelona 33 26 3 4 91 19 81
Real 33 26 1 6 99 30 79
Atletico 33 22 6 5 64 26 72
Sevilla 33 20 6 7 60 37 66
Valencia 32 19 8 5 56 25 65
Villarreal 33 14 11 8 44 30 53
Malaga 33 13 8 12 36 39 47
Bilbao 33 13 7 13 33 37 46
Espanyol 33 11 9 13 39 42 42
Celta Vigo 33 11 9 13 39 38 42
Rayo 33 13 2 18 38 61 41
Sociedad 33 9 12 12 36 43 39
Getafe 33 10 6 17 28 46 36
Elche 33 9 7 17 27 57 34
Levante 33 8 8 17 31 60 32
Almeria 33 8 7 18 27 52 31
Eibar 33 8 7 18 28 46 31
Deportivo 33 6 11 16 29 52 29
Granada 32 4 13 15 21 57 25
Cordoba 33 3 11 19 21 52 20
NB. Top three qualify automatically for the Champions League, fourth goes into the play-offs. Fifth and sixth carry Europa League places. The bottom three sides are relegated.
Note: Standings read as played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against and points.
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