Gareth Bale silences boo boys as Real Madrid close gap on Barcelona

Gareth Bale ended a nine-game goal drought by scoring twice as Real Madrid moved back to within a point of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a 2-0 win over Levante on Sunday

Madrid snapped a three-game winless streak to ensure they go into next weekend’s clasico at the Camp Nou with a chance to return to the top of the league.

Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t appear overjoyed to see Bale get back on the score sheet; he seemed frustrated after his initial efforts led to Bale’s goals.

“I saw a more motivated Bale with more desire, but the whole team had more desire and concentration,” said Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.

“Everyone understood what we had to do and what we have to do next Sunday.”

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The Italian responded to Tuesday’s 4-3 defeat at home to Schalke in the Champions League by recalling Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos to the line-up for the first time after long-term spells on the sidelines. Also, Keylor Navas was given a run-out in goal ahead of Iker Casillas.

Ancelotti said Bale seemed more comfortable with Modric, Bale’s teammate at Tottenham, alongside him.

“The influence of Modric is positive. It gives Bale more opportunities to be involved in the game,” Ancelotti said.

Up front, Madrid looked back to their best as Bale fired an acrobatic volley over before all of the front three were involved in a move that ended with Ronaldo striking the post.

Modric was also providing a creative spark that had been missing in recent weeks and he started the move for the opener.

The Croatian fed Karim Benzema and when Ronaldo’s overhead kick from his cross was cleared off the line by Ivan Ramis, Bale was on hand to sweep home the rebound with his weaker right foot.

Tono Garcia denied Ronaldo a certain tap-in from a low Bale cross with a last-ditch challenge, while Simao turned another centre from Bale onto his own bar as the one-way traffic continued.

And the hosts did finally double their advantage five minutes before the break when a fierce effort by Ronaldo was turned in from close range by Bale.

Perhaps understandably, Madrid’s intensity dipped after the break, but there was one moment of quality as Benzema flicked Ronaldo’s cross with the outside off his boot off the bar.

Earlier, Sevilla moved to within four points of fourth-place Atletico Madrid with a routine 3-0 win over Elche thanks to two goals from Carlos Bacca and a late strike by Kevin Gameiro.

Villarreal remain sixth after playing out a 0-0 draw at struggling Almeria, while Cordoba remained rooted to the bottom of the table as they lost 2-0 at Malaga.