Madrid, Jan 10 - Real Madrid stayed just two points behind Spanish leaders Barcelona with a 4-2 comeback defeat of third-placed Villarreal Sunday.

Real's heroes were Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. The Portuguese hitman scored an impressive hat-trick, Kaka came on with the score 2-2 and guided the whites to victory.

Real now have 47 points from 18 games, two less than Barca, who thrashed Deportivo Coruna 4-0 away Saturday.

Villarreal twice went ahead in the first half, but in the second half were pushed back by Real's smash-and-grab football. The win confirms that this will be another two-horse race for La Liga, because Villarreal are now 11 points behind Real.

Cani gave the yellows the lead after seven minutes after taking a pass from Guiseppe Rossi. Ronaldo immediately levelled for the hosts after being set up by Mesut Oezil.

Ruben Marco made it 2-1 for Villarreal with a cool finish after being played through by Bruno Soriano, only for Ronaldo to equalize for a second time by heading in a free-kick from Xabi Alonso.

The hosts dominated the second half with their intimidating, direct style, and Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez had to make several sharp saves.

Kaka, back after five months out, came off the bench and set up Ronaldo to clinch his hat-trick, 11 minutes from time. The Portuguese hitman now has 22 goals to his name, four more than Barca's Lionel Messi.

Three minutes later, with Villarreal looking resigned to their fate, Ronaldo set up Kaka to make it 4-2, with his first goal of the season.

Earlier Sunday, surprise package Espanyol had moved up to joint fourth with a 4-0 thrashing of bottom team Zaragoza.

Espanyol now have 31 points from 18 games and are level with Valencia, who are away to local rivals Levante later Sunday.

Pablo Osvaldo gave Espanyol the lead after just eight minutes, by heading in a centre from promising left-back Didac.

In the 31st minute veteran Luis Garcia made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Jose Callejon had been pulled down in the box. And just three minutes later, Alvaro Vazquez added a third after being set up by Luis Garcia.

Former Spain striker Sergio Garcia completed the rout three minutes from time, with Luis Garcia again the provider.

Zaragoza are now joint bottom with Almeria and Sporting Gijon, all three of them on 13 points.

Gijon battled out a 1-1 draw away to Racing Santander thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from Diego Castro, Almeria crashed 4-1 away to Mallorca.

Sunday's other early game was a 0-0 draw between Osasuna and Getafe.

Sunday's late game will be the local derby between Levante and Valencia. (dpa)