Cristiano Ronaldo nets twice as Real Madrid cut gap on Spanish leaders Barcelona . The Portugal forward , who headed against the bar just before halftime , made it 2-0 with 20 minutes to play when he headed home from a cross by Kaka after his fellow expensive pre-season signing drove to the by-line . Second-placed Real win 3-0 at bottom club Xerez to be two points behind champions Barca . Third-placed Valencia lose ground following 1-1 draw with Malaga in La Liga. Roma return to second place in Italy 's Serie A with 4-1 thrashing of Palermo .
Cristiano Ronaldo nets twice as Real Madrid cut gap on Spanish leaders Barcelona . Second-placed Real win 3-0 at bottom club Xerez to be two points behind champions Barca . Third-placed Valencia lose ground following 1-1 draw with Malaga in La Liga. Roma return to second place in Italy 's Serie A with 4-1 thrashing of Palermo .