BARCELONA, Spain -- Cristiano Ronaldo scored a long-range goal worthy of the recently awarded Ballon dOr to spark Real Madrids 5-0 rout at Real Betis, provisionally lifting them level with the co-leaders of the Spanish league on Saturday. Aqib Talib Jersey . Ronaldo netted one of his signature free kicks in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday to celebrate being named the world player of the year, and he topped that with a 25-meter blast taken on the run in the 10th minute in Seville. Gareth Bale followed Ronaldos rocket with a delicately placed free kick in the 25th for his first goal since Nov. 30, leaving the hosts demoralized and in tatters at the back. Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and Alvaro Morata all scored before the demolition of bottom-side Betis was over. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid can both regain their advantage over Madrid when they play matches on Sunday. "Everything went our way," said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "It was an important opportunity to reach the top of the table. At least we can sleep well tonight." Betis was left eight points from safety just past the leagues midway mark after Elche earned its first in six rounds by beating 10-man Rayo Vallecano 2-0 at home. Entering the match on a 12-round winless streak and showing no improvement since Juan Carlos Garrido replaced Pepe Mel as its coach, Betis desperately needed to repeat its 1-0 win over Madrid from last season. But Madrid dominated possession from the start, and the talent of Ronaldo and company soon crushed any hopes of an upset. Ancelotti said he would ask Ronaldo "for more" after he won his second Ballon dOr on Monday, and his star forward has certainly done that with two more superb goals this week to help his team advance past Osasuna in the Copa del Rey and tighten the league title race. Ronaldo was aggressive as ever from the start against Betis and his effort paid off when he unleashed a right-footed strike while dribbling at full speed that sailed past goalkeeper Stephan Andersen and into the roof of the net. The shot increased Ronaldos league-leading tally to 21 goals in 20 rounds. He has 31 goals in 26 appearances overall this season for Madrid. Bale turned Andersen into a helpless bystander for a second time when he lifted a free kick over the wall before it suddenly dipped down and into the net. Modric then set up Benzemas goal in first-half stoppage time when he pounced on a loose ball, drew three defenders to him, changed direction and crossed for the striker to slot home. It was Benzemas 100th goal in his fifth season at Madrid. Ancelotti praised the work of Modric and fellow midfielder Xabi Alonso for triggering Madrids lethal attack. "Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema were very efficient. The entire team game them several scoring option because we played at a fast pace," he said. "The help of our midfielders, above all Modric, was very important." Andersen denied Ronaldo one-on-one after half time, but he couldnt stop Di Maria from sending a rebound from outside the area skidding just inside the upright in the 62nd minute. Substitute Morata scored the fifth in the 90th minute. Elche was up a goal and a player from the 19th minute when Edu Albacar converted a penalty after Rayos Raul Baena was red-carded for fouling Ferran Corominas in the box. Javi Marquez sealed the victory in the 79th to leave Rayo in the relegation zone. Espanyol hosted Celta Vigo later, while Osasuna travelled to Granada. Barcelona visits Levante on Sunday after Atletico hosts Sevilla. Joseph Noteboom Jersey . A player confirmed to TSN on the condition of anonymity that he received his ballot yesterday. Another confirms hes been told to expect his shortly. "The unions executive committee insists a strike vote does not mean were pushing away from the table," the player said. "But we want the league to know were serious about our position. Los Angeles Rams Jerseys . Andrews, Scotland - Oliver Wilson fired a final- round, 2-under 70 on Sunday and he held on to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by one shot. AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- It was one of the most spectacular plays of a dreary season for the Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond knocked a pass away near midcourt, took off toward the basket and threw down an emphatic one-handed dunk while being fouled by Atlantas Elton Brand. "I knew I didnt have a chance," Brand said. Drummonds dunk propelled the Pistons to a 115-107 win over the Hawks on Friday night that snapped Detroits three-game losing streak and handed Atlanta its eighth straight loss. The Hawks shot 17 of 20 from the field during a 41-point second quarter, but the Pistons rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit. "We came together at halftime. We asked each other if we really want this," Drummond said. "We looked each other in the eyes as men and we all came together and decided we wanted to do this. So we came out firing." Atlanta was without guard Jeff Teague, who was out with a sprained ankle. Al Horford was lost for the season in December with a torn pectoral muscle. Paul Millsap had 23 points for the Hawks. "We had that huge second quarter, but they must have gotten a huge pep talk at halftime, because they really came out for the third with a lot of energy," Atlantas Kyle Korver said. Drummonds dunk on Brand gave the Pistons a 93-88 lead with 10:00 to play. Brand was a good sport about it, smiling a bit and even appearing to look up at the scoreboard for a replay. Drummond finished 10 of 11 from the field, but the Hawks finally started fouling him intentionally. The Detroit big man finished 0 for 8 on free throws, and the Pistons eventually took him out for the final 3:40. "Obviously, were trying to get back into the game, and it helped," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "We didnt score every time that we tried it, but it gave us a chance. It also helps that hes a great young player and we got him off the floor for a couple minutes." It was tied at 104 when Detroits Kyle Singler made a 3-poinnter from the right wing, and Will Bynum doubled the lead with a driving three-point play with 1:06 to go. Brandon Allen Jersey. A 3-pointer by Singler with 30 seconds left made it 113-106. Greg Monroe had 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Pistons, who stood pat at the trade deadline Thursday. Detroit is now 2 1/2 games behind Atlanta and Charlotte, who are in a virtual tie for seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks looked unstoppable on offence in the second quarter, scoring at will while going the entire period without a turnover. But the Pistons outscored Atlanta 34-20 in the third. It wasnt a perfect second half by any means for Detroit, but the Pistons did show some urgency. Brandon Jennings, who was having a poor shooting game for Detroit, was fouled twice while shooting 3-pointers. After Jennings missed badly from 3-point range, Josh Smith blocked Millsap at the other end, and Jennings was waiting behind the defence for a layup that gave the Pistons an 82-79 lead. "We made two or three hustle plays that winning teams make," Detroit interim coach John Loyer said. "Two and three bodies on the floor, couple guys going out of bounds. You guys all watch the NBA. The better teams do that." Jennings finished with 12 points and 14 assists, although he didnt play at all in the fourth. Detroit went with Bynum instead, and he finished with nine points and seven assists. "Brandon is a scorer. Brandon has been a great facilitator for us," Loyer said. "He started to attack in the third quarter and Will came in and finished it. Thats what teammates do." NOTES: Atlanta shot 85 per cent in the second quarter, one of the top marks for one quarter in the NBA this season. Denver shot 87 per cent (13 for 15) in the fourth quarter at Toronto on Dec. 1, according to STATS. ... The Pistons outscored the Hawks 66-34 in the paint. ... Kyle Korver was 2 for 4 from 3-point range, extending his NBA record to 123 consecutive games with a 3. Cheap Devils Jerseys Cheap Blue Jackets Jerseys Cheap Hurricanes Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Cheap Lightning Jerseys Cheap Senators JerseysCheap Canadiens Jerseys Cheap Panthers Jerseys Cheap Red Wings Jerseys Cheap Sabres Jerseys Cheap Bruins Jerseys Cheap Islanders Jerseys Cheap Rangers Jerseys Cheap Flyers Jerseys Cheap Penguins Jerseys ' ' '