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Hazard steps up as Real close La Liga gap

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Eden Hazard (l) has scored in Real Madrid's 4-1 over Alaves.
Camera IconEden Hazard (l) has scored in Real Madrid's 4-1 over Alaves.

Eden Hazard has eased pressure on himself with a strong performance as Real Madrid closed the gap to La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid to four points with a 4-1 away win at Alaves.

Real coach Zindene Zidane missed Saturday night's match after being diagnosed with Covid-19 but it didn't matter as his team dominated proceedings.

Casemiro headed in the first goal on 13 minutes and Karim Benzema doubled the lead on 41 minutes.

Belgium forward Hazard was excellent in the first half.

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The former Chelsea star provided an assist as he flicked the ball through to Benzema then added Real's third goal as he scored from Toni Kroos' assist.

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Alaves were brighter in the second half and Joselu pulled a goal back with a powerful header on 59 minutes.

But Benzema raced away to get his second of the game and put the result beyond doubt.

The promising showing by Hazard comes amid growing impatience shown by Madrid's fans, and some unfavorable comparisons in Spanish media to former star Gareth Bale, who was also injury prone.

Hampered by injuries, 30-year-old Hazard has not lived up to the club-record $US113 million fee plus add-ons two seasons ago.

"I think at Chelsea he was the player he was, and now he has to be a different one here," Benzema said about Hazard. "We need Hazard to be at his best."

Madrid assistant coach David Bettoni was on the touchline at Mendizorroza Stadium and said he consulted Zidane by telephone late in the match to make substitutions, but added his boss "trusts his players and trusts me."

Earlier Saturday, Youssef En-Nesyri scored his second hat-trick in the space of a month to give Sevilla a 3-0 win over Cadiz.

The victory lifts the home side to third in the table and means that with 12 goals, En-Nesyri is top scorer in the Spanish top flight.

He got his first on the rebound after Suso's shot had come off a post on 35 minutes.

He doubled the lead heading in a Suso free kick on 39 minutes. And he nodded in the third from close range on 62 minutes.

"I have not changed anything, this is just the result of hard work and focus," said the Morocco international, who has now scored hat-tricks in consecutive home matches.

He managed to net the second despite having needed treatment a moment earlier because of an eye problem.

He said: "I couldn't see properly out of one eye. But I knew the cross was for me and so I had to try to finish it. I scored the goal with one eye."

Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui said: "I'm pleased for him and I'm pleased for the team. The attitude and the mentality of the team was excellent."

Lopetegui will also be pleased En-Nesyri, who was linked with a move to West Ham in the transfer window, has no plans to move on.

The 23-year-old striker added: "I want to finish the season at Sevilla. This is a great club and I am very happy here."

Also on Saturday, Huesca drew 0-0 with Villarreal and Real Sociedad drew 2-2 with Betis.

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