Real Madrid welcomed Real Zaragoza to the Bernabeu on Saturday looking to make it five wins from their last six matches in the league.
After a quiet opening, they found themselves 2-0 ahead following strikes from Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria in the opening period.
Zaragoza were the better side in the second half, but Madrid added a third and fourth late on through Michael Essien and Luka Modric.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Hello all! Our second La Liga commentary of the weekend comes from Madrid as Mourinho's side attempt to extend their 20-match unbeaten run at home. In their way is a Zaragoza side that have won their last three matches.
Teams:
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Albiol; Essien, Modric, Ozil; Di Maria, Ronaldo, Higuain
Zaragoza: Roberto; Alvaro, Loovens, Sapunaru, Minero; Movlla, Apono, Montanes, Mari; Postiga, Rodriguez
However, Zaragoza have lost five of their last six meetings with Madrid. Meanwhile, they have managed just nine goals in the league this season - only Osasuna and Granada have registered less in their opening nine matches.
Here we go then. Both sides join us on the pitch and take part in the usual handshakes and the exchanging of flags. Madrid simply have to win to keep pace with Barcelona. Kickoff is moments away.
Madrid kick us off on this mild evening in the Spanish capital. Just a reminder that Barcelona recorded a 3-1 win over Celta Vigo moments ago.
Quick start from the away side as Apono advances down the right, but Pepe comes across to clear the danger. Zaragoza have come to play this evening.
Just a reminder that Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in his last eight games. Quite incredible and he displays a wonderful piece of skill in the early stages of this game.
Zaragoza are well in this match in the early stages. Apono searches out the run of Postiga with a long-range pass, but Ramos comes across to clear the danger. Nothing much from Madrid as an attacking threat thus far.
The away side continue to enjoy a decent spell of possession in the Madrid half. However, Madrid are comfortable in dealing with the threat. They are taking a while to warm up to the task.
First real period of Madrid pressure as Di Maria advances down the right, but his cross is too long for Ronaldo and the danger is cleared. There is just no tempo to this match at the moment.
Mourinho has approached the touchline and he does not look a happy trooper. His side have just not started this match. Meanwhile, Postiga remains a threat for Zaragoza. We need some inspiration here.
Chance! Best moment of the match for Madrid as Di Maria whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Ronaldo can only head wide of the target. That's better from the home side. It was a glorious pass from the winger.
Madrid have certainly upped the tempo in the past few moments. However, play is being broken up by a number of bitty fouls in midfield. They are warming to the task now and the opening goal appears to be coming.
Half-chance for Ronaldo once more as Ozil finds the forward in the box, but his header is over the crossbar. Roberto has been largely untroubled in the Zaragoza goal thus far.
Another decent opportunity for Madrid as Modric searches out the run of Higuain, but the Argentine cannot collect. Meanwhile, Postiga tests Casillas down the other end.
Zaragoza remain a threat on the counter with the pace of Mari and the invention of Postiga. However, they are yet to really find that elusive pass as both sides exchange attacks.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Real Zaragoza (Higuain)
Madrid take the lead as Higuain taps home from close range after Roberto had denied Albiol.
It's harsh on the away side, but it was always likely to happen. Now it is so important that they keep it tight for the next five minutes or so. The next goal is all-important.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Real Zaragoza (Di Maria)
What was I saying? Madrid have their second as Di Maria strikes home from a tight angle. Where was the defending?
The first quarter of this match was encouraging for Zaragoza, but they could now be on their way to a hiding as Madrid flood forward once more.
Chance! Ronaldo almost makes it three for the home side as he picks up possession inside the box, but his effort is just wide of the post. Zaragoza are in real trouble now.
Zaragoza again enjoy a decent couple of minutes of possession. However, they just cannot find that final ball to really trouble Madrid. Meanwhile, the higher they push the more chance they will be caught on the counter attack.
Not a great deal happening in terms of chances at the moment. Madrid are threatening, but the away side have dealt with the threat comfortably in the last few minutes.
Madrid continue to pass and probe in the Zaragoza half. It is like a training match for them at the moment with Modric and Essien allowed time and space in midfield. Little under 10 minutes of the half remaining.
Luka Modric picks up the first booking of the match for a challenge on Montanes. He is probably the last person you would have expected to pick up the booking. My money was on Ramos.
Just a reminder that victory for Madrid this evening would move them into third spot in the table. Eight points behind leaders Barcelona. Meanwhile, they are in control of possession as we enter the final five minutes of the half.
Little under three minutes of the half remaining and Zaragoza are offering very little. Unless something drastic happens, this is going to be ever so routine for the home side.
Madrid continue to keep possession in the latter stages of the half and it appears that no additional time will be played.
Real Madrid 2-0 Real Zaragoza
So there we have it. Goals from Higuain and Di Maria hand Madrid a 2-0 lead over Zaragoza at the interval. In truth, it has been a half of few incidents.
Zaragoza promised much after starting the match with purpose and desire. However, two quick-fire goals were so damaging and they have struggled since falling behind. They need some sort of inspiration in the second period.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half. Madrid have dominated possession with 56%, while they have had seven shots to Zaragoza's four.
Looking ahead to the second period. The next goal could well decide this match. If Madrid score then it is simply game over, but a goal for Zaragoza could inspire a recovery. The second half will get underway shortly.
Here we go then. Zaragoza get us underway in the second period. Will Madrid secure the three points or is there a comeback on the cards?
Decent start from the away side as Apono attempts to combine with Rodriguez down the right, but the former just cannot collect the danger. Meanwhile, Di Maria comes close down the other end.
Half-chance for Madrid as Di Maria whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Loovens just manages to beat Ronaldo to the header. Meanwhile, the Zaragoza defender also heads the resulting corner clear.
The match has just become ever so scrappy in the last few moments with both sides giving away a host of free kicks. Meanwhile, Zaragoza continue to thwart the Madrid danger at the vital moment.
Decent work from the away side as Montanes and Mari combine down the right, but the final ball lets them down once more. Postiga has not seen the ball since the opening 15 minutes.
It's sloppy play from Pepe as he loses possession in his own half, but Postiga is crowded out by four white shirts within seconds. Not a great deal of pace to the match at the moment.
Chance! First real chance of the second period for Zaragoza as Rodriguez strikes one from inside the box, but Casillas pushes the danger wide. Just a hint of an opening.
In fairness to Zaragoza they have been the better side in this second period. A goal really would make things interesting, but you just get the feeling that Madrid will score another on the counter.
Another half-chance for the away side as Rodriguez strikes one from distance, but Casillas pushes the danger wide. It's all one-way at the moment.
Madrid have a couple of half-chances as Modric strikes from distance, but Roberto is on hand to make the save. It's a bit of a nothing match at the moment.
Chance! Oh my word. Wonderful effort from Mari as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but it smashes off the crossbar. Zaragoza are the better side here.
Zaragoza have the ball in the back of the net as Postiga converts from close range, but he is ruled offside. Meanwhile, change for Madrid as Higuain is replaced by Karim Benzema.
Madrid have just settled with possession in the past few moments, but they are offering no real threat of their own. Mourinho will be fuming with this second period.
Change for Madrid as Jose Callejon replaces Di Maria. Hopefully he can spark some life into this match. It needs something! Little under 20 minutes remaining.
Change for the away side as Rodriguez is replaced by Javier Alamo. Can he inspire his team? The crowd are ever so quiet here and I cannot blame them.
Still Zaragoza go in search of their opening goal with Postiga and Montanes combining to good effect, but the final ball continues to let them down. It has not been a great Madrid performance.
Meanwhile, another change for the away side as Postiga is replaced by Carlos Aranda. Little over 10 minutes of football to play this evening. Will we have late drama?
Another change for Madrid as Arebloa is replaced by Nacho. Meanwhile, Alvaro fires over from close range for Zaragoza. They need a goal and they need it soon.
RONALDO! Oh my word! Wonderful free kick from Ronaldo as he whips an effort from outside the box, but it smashes against the crossbar. That is stunning.
That was sensational from Madrid. Just how does he get so much power and dip on those free kicks? It was actually a fine save from Roberto. Meanwhile, we have little under five minutes of football remaining.
Another half-chance for Madrid as Modric finds Ronaldo in the box, but Roberto makes a smart save. Final change of the match for Zaragoza as Mari is replaced by Romaric.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Real Zaragoza (Essien)
Madrid have their third against the run of play as Essien collects a Benzema pass before converting from close range.
Meanwhile, we will play an additional three minutes of football at the end of the match.
Madrid have gathered possession in the final stages and are moving eight points behind Barcelona. Stay with us for Valencia vs. Atletico following this match.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-0 Real Zaragoza (Modric)
Modric grabs his first goal in a Madrid shirt with a powerful effort from distance.
Real Madrid 4-0 Real Zaragoza
So there we have it. Madrid continue their winning run at home with a 4-0 win over Real Zaragoza. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for Valencia versus Atletico.
