Real Madrid managed to keep their three point league over the chasing pack in La Liga with a fine win in a five goal thriller with Valencia. Despite the three points, however, goalkeeper Iker Casillas was less than impressed with the team's performance.

Karim Benzema put Madrid in front after just 20 minutes, and they looked on course for a comfortable win when Sergio Ramos made it 2-0 on around 70 minutes.

However, only three minutes later the game burst into life, with the home side netting one back through Roberto Soldado. Hernandez Pablo’s shot was saved by Casillas, but fell neatly into the path of Soldado who applied a clinical finish.

Ronaldo made it 3-1 shortly afterwards, but a rare mistake by Casillas handed another lifeline to the home side. Casillas expected the ball to run out and was out of position when miraculously Hernandez Pablo managed to pull a cross into Soldado who prodded home the finish.

But it was not to be and Madrid held on to record victory in the five goal bonanza. You could get a massive 25/1 on a 3-2 result on the Real Madrid betting indexes, if you had put money on before kick-off.

"We suffered a little," Casillas told Rthe official website. “We have only just returned from international duty, which was bound to take its toll eventually. We faced a Valencia side that plays and moves very well on their own pitch, in front of their own fans. The support of the crowd made things difficult for us. It was a beautiful and hard earned victory."

Casillas acknowledged that he was "not used to conceding goals" in such a laughable style. "I don't like it, but this is a victory you remember throughout the season," he said.

The win allowed Madrid to re-claim a three-point advantage at the top of La Liga on Saturday and it also provided their coach Mourinho his 11th consecutive victory with the team. The football betting markets suggest that this run will continue, with Madrid set to face Dinamo Zagreb at home on Tuesday.