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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 6 MARCH 2016 51 Sport FOOTBALL Ronaldo hits four as Real Madrid crush Celta 7-1 CRISTIANO Ronaldo scored four second-half goals in Real Madrid's 7-1 thrashing of Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu. Gareth Bale marked his return from a hamstring injury by scor- ing in his first appearance in 50 days, while Pepe and Jese also got on the scoresheet for the Me- rengues. Iago Aspas got Celta's only goal in their worst defeat of the sea- son, but the afternoon really be- longed to Ronaldo, who moved on to 26 Primera Division goals for the season, one ahead of Bar- celona forward Luis Suarez. Madrid went ahead before the break when Pepe rose highest to meet Isco's corner and Ronaldo doubled their advantage early in the second half. The Portuguese received a short pass from Sergio Ramos with plenty of space, but well outside the area, and wrapped his right foot around the ball to send it spinning high into the net. His next goal was of similar quality, curling the ball over the wall and into the top corner of the near post to score from a direct free-kick for the first time this season. Celta pulled a goal back out of nowhere through Aspas, but the Galians were back in the game for barely a minute. Lucas Vazquez released Isco on the left and the midfielder rolled the ball across the box for Ronaldo to tap home from close range and com- plete his treble. The Portuguese headed home Jese's corner to grab his fourth and the provider then turned scorer moments later. There was still time for an- other substitute to get in on the act, Bale marking his return to action by driving the ball low across goal and in off the far post. Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his third goal against Celta Vigo Bayern Munich maintain five- point cushion at top after goalless draw in Dortmund BORUSSIA Dortmund failed to close the gap on Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga as the teams played out a goalless draw at Signal Iduna Park. Thomas Tuchel's men began the match five points adrift of the league leaders but were un- able to put any further pressure on the Munich giants. The game did not lack chanc- es, with Douglas Costa spurn- ing an excellent opportunity in the first half for Pep Guardiola's men. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then passed up an opening for the home side in the second pe- riod after being picked out by Mats Hummels via a Marco Re- us f lick-on, but the game ended in stalemate. Mahrez nets superb winner as classy Leicester extend lead at the top LEICESTER proved their Bar- clays Premier League title cre- dentials as Riyad Mahrez's stun- ning strike earned a 1-0 victory at Watford. Saturday's north London derby draw opened the door for Clau- dio Ranieri 's side to take a po- tentially crucial step towards the title, and they took full ad- vantage as Mahrez's 56th-min- ute strike saw off Watford. The result sees Leicester move five points clear at the top of the Premier League, while Watford remain 12th after a 12th league defeat of the season. Earlier, 10-man Arsenal came from behind to draw 2-2 at Tot- tenham as the two north Lon- don clubs handed the title im- petus to Leicester. Aaron Ramsey opened the scoring for the visitors with a f lick but, after Francis Coquelin saw red for the Gunners, Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane turned the game around inside two minutes. Arsenal, who lost from a win- ning position against Swansea on Wednesday, kept plugging away and levelled through Alex- is Sanchez's first league goal since October. At the other end of the table, Bournemouth increased the pressure on Newcastle manager Steve McClaren with a 3-1 win at St James's Park. The Cherries, who have moved clear of the relegation zone, took the lead on 28 minutes when Josh King's cross was def lected into his own net by Newcastle defender Steven Taylor. King made it 2-0 on 70 min- utes, as boos rang out from the home support. Ayoze Perez's goal with 10 minutes left gave Newcastle hope before Charlie Daniels made sure of victory with a third in stoppage time to leave the home side deep in relegation trouble. West Ham came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Everton, who had midfielder Kevin Mirallas sent off in the first half. Romelu Lukaku scored on 13 minutes, but Everton were soon reduced to 10 men when Miral- las was sent off on 34 minutes for a second caution. Aaron Lennon scored a fine individual goal on 56 minutes to seemingly put the hosts in con- trol, before Lukaku had a 71st- minute penalty saved. Michail Antonio reduced the deficit on 78 minutes left and just three minutes later substi- tute Diafra Sakho headed in an equaliser, before Dimitri Payet won it with a last-minute goal. Manchester City closed to within two points of the third- placed Gunners when they beat bottom club Aston Villa 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium. City hit Villa with two goals early in the second half through Yaya Toure on 48 minutes and Sergio Aguero quickly scored another just two minutes later before the Argentine forward added a third on the hour mark. Raheem Sterling made it 4-0 after 66 minutes, with Agero also hitting the woodwork from the penalty spot on 73 minutes. Chelsea continued their re- covery under Guus Hiddink, but were held to a 1-1 home draw by Stoke. Bertrand Traore fired the hosts into the lead on 39 min- utes, but just when it seemed the Blues were closing out an- other victory, Mame Biram Di- ouf headed in an equaliser with five minutes left. Swansea beat struggling Nor- wich 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium with a goal on 61 minutes from midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. Sunderland looked to have boosted their own survival hopes with a late strike from Jermain Defoe (84) at South- ampton. However the Saints, who had Jose Fonte sent off on 79 min- utes, snatched a 1-1 draw in stoppage-time through Virgil van Dijk. Riyad Mahrez scored Leicester's winner at Watford