Real Madrid comprehensively defeated Athletic Bilbao 5-0 at the Bernabeu this evening to move into the top four of La Liga.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored early on for the hosts to set the tone, going on to add two more goals in the second half to bag his 22nd hat-trick for Los Blancos.

Karim Benzema added a brace of his own to leave an out-of-sorts Bilbao side in the bottom three of the division following a poor start to the new season.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during the 90 minutes of action in the Spanish capital.

REAL MADRID

Goal

Iker Casillas: Was tested on just a few occasions, but each time he produced a decent stop to deny the opposition. Supporters reacted by chanting his name, which will no doubt give him a boost. (7/10)

Defence

Dani Carvajal: Linked up well with Bale and Modric down the right, and was often the starting point for many of his side's attacks. (8/10)

Pepe: A solid performance from the centre-back on his return to the starting lineup following a few weeks away. Even managed to claim an assist late on. (7/10)

Sergio Ramos: Enjoyed a quiet first half before being replaced at the interval. It is not yet known if he was replaced due to an injury, although early yellow card may have influenced Carlo Ancelotti's decision. (6/10)

Marcelo: His superb crosses caused Bilbao numerous problems and he was alert at the back to thwart a couple of rare Athletic attacks. (8/10)

Midfield

Luka Modric: The Croatian was given the freedom to push into some more advanced positions, always appearing to be free to take the ball. The unsung hero of this Madrid side. (8/10)

James Kroos: The summer signing drops deep to help build play from the back, and his searching balls into the flanks sparked attacks for Bale and James to capitalise on in wide areas. (7/10)

James Rodriguez: Another energetic display from the World Cup star, although he will perhaps be disappointed not to have added his name to the scoresheet. (7/10)

Attack

Gareth Bale: Another couple of assists to his name this evening, and he has now scored or assisted 34 league goals in 34 appearances for Los Blancos to make him one of the Spanish side's key men. (8/10)

Karim Benzema: He must simply love playing in a team which boasts such rich attacking talent, although in fairness to the Frenchman he certainly knows how to finish moves. Great header for the opener, and in the right place to tap home his second. (8/10)

Cristiano Ronaldo: An incredible football player at the peak of his powers. What more is left to say about CR7? His tally now stands at 13 goals in six games so far this season in the league. Unplayable. (9/10)

Substitutes

Raphael Varane: Will feel disappointed not to have started, but was given 45 minutes to impress in a second half that his side truly dominated. (7/10)

Isco: Continued where Benzema left off by helping to control play in forward areas. Will hope to gain more action as the season progressed. (6/10)

Asier Illarramendi: Made way for Kroos to help Madrid tick over in midfield, yet he is another that must simply watch on from the bench for the majority of this season. (6/10)

ATHLETIC BILBAO

Goal

Gorka Iraizoz: Who knows just how many goals the home side would have had if not for the Spaniard's heroics. Can hold his head up high despite conceding five times. (8/10)

Defence

Oscar de Marcos: Picked up a booking 25 minutes in which made his task of thwarting James' forward runs even more difficult. (6/10)

Carlos Gurpegui: The centre-back will have nightmares tonight judging by the damage that Ronaldo and co caused to him and his side this evening. (6/10)

Aymeric Laporte: Caught in possession on the edge of his own box in the first half by Benzema, but he had his blushes spared by the referee. (5/10)

Mikel Balenziaga: Produced a brilliant block to deny Ramos's close-range strike in the opening stages. His handball to deny Bale getting in behind him was as cheeky as it was stupid. (5/10)

Midfield

Ander Iturraspe: Bilbao were completely overrun in the middle, unable to create any real openings across the 90 minutes. (6/10)

Mikel Rico: It is difficult to see where the Basque outfit are going to get their goals from this season, and a lot of that is down to the lack of ability to date from the midfielders. (5/10)

Marek Susaeta: Looked to probe away before being replaced on the hour. Was given too much space at one point in the opening 45 minutes to push forward, yet he failed to pick out a simple pass out wide. (6/10)

Benat: Struggled to get into the game - much like each of his teammates, it should be said - and was withdrawn at the break. (5/10)

Iker Muniain: The liveliest of the visiting side's players, yet in truth that is not saying an awful lot. Had two of Athletic's three shots on goal, drawing two saves out of Casillas either side of the interval. (7/10)

Guillermo Les Leones desperately missed top scorer Aritz Aduriz this evening, highlighted most by the display of Guillermo who did little across the 90 minutes. (5/10)

Substitutes

Ibai Gomez: Brought on at half time to make an impression, but struggled to get into the contest just as much as the man he replaced. (6/10)

Unai Lopez: Likewise, the midfielder was introduced at a time when Madrid were starting to up the ante, and he could do little to thwart the waves of attack. (5/10)

Xabier Etxeita: Probably would have preferred to have remained on the bench for the final 15 minutes, especially when he was replacing his side's best outfield player on the night. (6/10)