Van der Vaart netted a brilliant hat-trick, while Raul (two), Arjen Robben and Gonzalo Higuain were also on the mark as Madrid outdid bitter rivals Barcelona, which thrashed Sporting 6-1 at the weekend.

Sporting's solitary effort came from Kike Mateo in the second half but it was scant consolation for a side that has now shipped 17 goals in three games.

The win moved Madrid up to second, a point behind Villarreal, which beat Racing Santander 2-0.

Joan Capdevila put the Yellow Submarine ahead after 28 minutes and Joseba Llorente doubled their advantage five minutes later.

Florent Sinama Pongolle scored twice as Atletico Madrid displayed its title credentials with a 2-1 victory at Getafe - a win which put it up to third.

Sinama Pongolle put the visitors ahead in the 30th minute only for Juan Albin to restore parity deep into the second half.

It looked as though the spoils would be shared but Frenchman Sinama Pongolle ensured the points returned to the capital with the winner eight minutes from time.

Goals from Enzo Maresca and Ernesto Chevanton enabled Sevilla to beat previously-unbeaten Espanyol 2-0 while Barcelona needed a late goal from Eidur Gudjohnsen to see off Real Betis 3-2 at the Nou Camp.

Samuel Eto'o put Barcelona in front after 17 minutes and the Cameroon striker doubled the hosts' advantage shortly afterwards.

But Betis improved after the break and drew level thanks to efforts from Luciano Monzon and Jose Mari.

Substitute Gudjohnsen saved the home side's blushes with the winner 11 minutes from the end.

Spanish Primera Liga
Barcelona 3(Eto'o 17, 23, Gudjohnsen 80)
Real Betis 2 (Monzon 59, Mari 67)

Osasuna 0
Deportivo La Coruna 0

Villarreal 2 (Capdevila 28, Llorente 32)
Racing Santander 0

Getafe 1 (Albin 75)
Atletico Madrid 2 (Pongolle 29, 82)

Real Madrid 7 (Vaart 18, 33, 47, Higuain 37, Robben 52, Raul 59, 64)
Sporting Gijon 1 (Mateo 54)

Sevilla 2 (Maresca 57, Chevanton 85)
Espanyol 0