Cristiano Ronaldo hit the 200-goal mark in La Liga with a hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo 3-0 to move four points clear at the top of the table.

Carlo Ancelotti's side missed a great chance to break the deadlock early on when Ronaldo met a corner with a powerful header, but Sergio Ramos could only fired wide after reacting quickest in the box.

It came as little surprise to see the leaders dominate possession, but their path to goal was blocked by Sergio, who made fine saves to keep out Ronaldo and James Rodriguez.

However, the visitors were left frustrated in the 36th minute when Ronaldo fired home from the penalty spot after being brought down inside the box by Jonny.

Despite their stubborn start, the Celta challenge faded after the opener, and they were fortunate not to fall further behind when Sergio was forced to push Rodriguez's low strike to safety.

Chances were difficult to come by for the visitors, but they threatened early in the second half when Fabio Orellana fired a shot just wide of the post.

Gareth Bale should have doubled his side's lead after being released by Ronaldo, but the Welshman's powerful shot from the left side of the box was tipped away by the in-form Sergio.

The second goal arrived a couple of minutes later when a high ball into the box was volleyed into the bottom corner by Ronaldo for his 22nd La Liga goal of the season.

Bale went close again when he headed a free kick from Toni Kroos towards the top corner, only to see Sergio react well to hold onto the ball under pressure.

It was left to Ronaldo to complete an 18th successive win for Madrid with a calm finish from Marcelo's cross, which secured a record-breaking 23rd hat-trick for the Portuguese forward in La Liga.