<p>Gareth Bale responded in style to his critics with a fine finish as Real Madrid got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win at Real Sociedad.<br /><br />Borja Mayoral rewarded a bright start by Real with his first Madrid goal before Sociedad’s Kevin Rodrigues scored at both ends to give the visitors a 2-1 half-time lead. And Bale secured the three points as he sped past Rodrigues and dinked the ball over Geronimo Rulli for just his second goal of the season on the hour mark. Victory moves the Liga champions up to fourth and within four points of leaders Barcelona.<br /><br />Bale had received stinging criticism from the Spanish press and Madrid fans for his underwhelming displays in Ronaldo’s absence in recent weeks as Real dropped points at home to Valencia and Levante. “It’s great to always score, but the most important thing was to get the three points for the team, get back on track and get back to winning ways,” Bale said. “I just have to try to keep my head down and keep working hard and that’s all I can do.”<br /><br />Without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, as he completed a five-game ban, and injured Karim Benzema, Zinedine Zidane handed 20-year-old Mayoral a shock start up front. And the Frenchman’s faith was rewarded inside 20 minutes when Mayoral swept home a loose ball with a classy finish from close range. Mayoral’s strike meant Madrid have now matched a world record of scoring in 73 consecutive games set by Pele’s Santos in the 1960s.<br /><br />However, the visitors’ joy lasted just nine minutes as Rodrigues levelled thanks to a blunder from Keylor Navas.<br /><br />Later, a crazy 60 seconds for Rodrigues swung the match back in Madrid’s favour. The left-back was inches away from bagging a second when his looping effort came back off the bar.<br /><br />Real broke straight up the other end and the unfortunate Rodrigues turned Mayoral’s cross into his own net. Bale sealed the points after the break by scoring for the fifth straight match at Anoeta as his pace took him beyond the Sociedad defence before coolly chipping over the advancing Rulli.</p>
<p>Gareth Bale responded in style to his critics with a fine finish as Real Madrid got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win at Real Sociedad.<br /><br />Borja Mayoral rewarded a bright start by Real with his first Madrid goal before Sociedad’s Kevin Rodrigues scored at both ends to give the visitors a 2-1 half-time lead. And Bale secured the three points as he sped past Rodrigues and dinked the ball over Geronimo Rulli for just his second goal of the season on the hour mark. Victory moves the Liga champions up to fourth and within four points of leaders Barcelona.<br /><br />Bale had received stinging criticism from the Spanish press and Madrid fans for his underwhelming displays in Ronaldo’s absence in recent weeks as Real dropped points at home to Valencia and Levante. “It’s great to always score, but the most important thing was to get the three points for the team, get back on track and get back to winning ways,” Bale said. “I just have to try to keep my head down and keep working hard and that’s all I can do.”<br /><br />Without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, as he completed a five-game ban, and injured Karim Benzema, Zinedine Zidane handed 20-year-old Mayoral a shock start up front. And the Frenchman’s faith was rewarded inside 20 minutes when Mayoral swept home a loose ball with a classy finish from close range. Mayoral’s strike meant Madrid have now matched a world record of scoring in 73 consecutive games set by Pele’s Santos in the 1960s.<br /><br />However, the visitors’ joy lasted just nine minutes as Rodrigues levelled thanks to a blunder from Keylor Navas.<br /><br />Later, a crazy 60 seconds for Rodrigues swung the match back in Madrid’s favour. The left-back was inches away from bagging a second when his looping effort came back off the bar.<br /><br />Real broke straight up the other end and the unfortunate Rodrigues turned Mayoral’s cross into his own net. Bale sealed the points after the break by scoring for the fifth straight match at Anoeta as his pace took him beyond the Sociedad defence before coolly chipping over the advancing Rulli.</p>