RONALDO, HERNÁNDEZ AND JESÉ SCORE IN 3-0 VICTORY

Cristiano Ronaldo scored on a free kick for the first time this season and Chicharito Hernández and Jesé added goals to give Los Blancos all three points and draw them within a point of league leaders Barcelona.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti's heavily rotated starting XI saw Chicharito earn a rare start up top, as the Mexican joined Jesé, who replaced Benzema, and Ronaldo in attack. Toni Kroos was rested and in his stead was Asier Illarramendi, who joined Luka Modric and Isco in midfield, while in the back goalkeeper Keylor Navas also got a rare start in goal and was shielded by back four of Álvaro Arbeloa, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo.

After a strike from Sergio Ramos that banged off the crossbar and a follow-up shot from Isco that managed to hit both posts, Real would break the deadlock in the 21st minute through Ronaldo's free kick. The Portuguese's effort took a hop and crossed up Eibar goalkeeper Irureta who was wrong-footed and could only watch as the ball bounced into goal. For Ronaldo, who scored his 300th goal with Real earlier in midweek versus Rayo, it was his 38th league goal of the season

Nine minutes later it was Chicharito finding the back of the net, placing a finely taken header that spun into the corner of the net off an Arbeloa cross from the right to five Los Blancos a 2-0 advantage.

Real were clearly in control during the first half as they dominated their visitors from the Basque Country, and then looked to extend their lead at the start of the second stanza. But Eibar hung tough and managed to keep Real at bay for the most start to start the second 45 minutes, while also forcing Navas into an occasional stop at the other end.

The most bizarre moment of the match came in the 69th minute and it coincided with Eibar's best scoring chance of the afternoon. Striker Federico Piovaccari got behind the Real defense and was bearing down on goal with Pepe right behind him.

But Piovaccari slipped once he got inside the area and in an attempt to win the ball back, Piovaccari fouled Pepe, who collided with Navas, leaving both men writhing on the group in pain.

Eventually they each were able to continue, but it was a scary moment for the Portuguese defender who has had his share of injuries this season.

Jesé sealed the match for the hosts with a tremendous individual effort in the 83rd minutes, as the Canarian collected the ball, dashed to the right and unfurled a shot that whizzed right past Irureta and into the net to push the Real lead to 3-0.

That would wrap up the day's events as Ancelotti's men will now turn their attention to their massive Champions League quarterfinal first leg versus city rivals Atlético Madrid.

FIRST GOAL FROM FREE KICK SINCE MUNICH LAST YEAR

Cristiano Ronaldo had not scored from a direct free kick since Real Madrid's 4-0 win away to Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final second leg on 29th April 2014.

But he finally broke that drought with the strike that put Real Madrid 1-0 up against Eibar, though he did get some help from visiting goalkeeper Xabi Irureta, who could have done more to prevent it.

The last time Ronaldo had converted a free kick in the league was on 26th March 2014, against Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán.

PLAYER PRAYED BEFORE GAME AND SCORED

It was the first time the Mexican marksman - who is on loan from Manchester United - had the chance to start for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. Hernández had previously been named in the starting line-up on the odd occasion under Carlo Ancelotti, but always in away fixtures.

'Chicharito' repaid his manager for the opportunity by scoring his first goal at home for the club in the 31st minute. Álvaro Arbeloa swung in a cross from the right which was headed in off the far post of Xabi Irureta's goal by the Mexican. He had almost opened his personal account earlier but his strike was ruled out because he was in an offside position.

The goal is Hernández's fifth for 'Los Blancos' - his four previous efforts all came away from the Bernabéu.

ANCELOTTI DOES NOT TRUST EIBAR

The Italian says that winning the appeal against Cristiano Ronaldo's yellow card is great news. "We appealed because the booking was unfair and we have to field our strongest possible side against Eibar, a team we have the utmost respect for".

On Bale:"He isn't available. He underwent a routine scan. He is suffering from muscle fatigue and it's best to rest him ahead of Tuesday's game".

On Cristiano:"I don't think there is anything to discuss, especially after winning our appeal".

On Modric:"He's been tired. I think they'll all be better on Saturday. Luka is going to play".

On Keylor and rotating players:"They're all professionals. It's different for a keeper because he only gets a chance to play if there is an injury. It's a different situation. An outfield player can come off the bench in the last ten minutes and still have an impact".

On Jesé:"He's starting to look good. He needed time to get over his injury. Khedira came back too early and had problems. These types of injuries need a year. He's going to play plenty of football between now and the end of the season".

On Pepe:"Every game comes with its own starting line-up. He's available for selection on Saturday and Tuesday, but let's not confuse the Eibar starting XI with the one I'll name for Tuesday".

On Coentrao and Khedira:"Khedira has a back injury and Coentrao has a knee problem. They won't make the squad".

On substitutions:"If I think a player can make an impact for one minute, I'll put him on. I think the players are starting to understand that. If I think a player should go on in the last second, then I'll put him on. Manchester United won a Champions League thanks to two goals in the last two minutes".

On Casillas:"Iker made it very clear, he wants to stay. We want him to stay. I want him to stay. He doesn't need protecting".

On Bale and Kroos's replacements:"Illarra and Jesé have every chance of playing"

On having more home games than Barça:"I don't look at it like that. There are eight games left. All of them are going to be tough, for all of us, because we're playing for our lives. We have to be ready and give our all".

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR BRAZILIAN AFTER MIDWEEK EXCLUSION

The stats don't lie. Neymar's form has dipped alarmingly, particularly in front of goal, with the 23-year-old in the midst of a drought in La Liga stretching back to 15th February. This is far too long for a player of his talent.

The Brazilian flew out of the traps at the beginning of the campaign, forming a deadly partnership with Leo Messi on the pitch while Luis Suárez watched on and bearing little resemblance to the erratic performer of last season. He was a revelation, averaging a goal a game and putting together a six-match scoring streak at one point. This was a real shot in the arm and, truth be told, a pleasant surprise for Luis Enrique.

But now things have changed. The former Santos star looks a shadow of his former self and isn't contributing goals or assists. Suárez's scintillating performances have left Neymar in the shade and the no. 11 isn't being anywhere near as decisive as before. Barça are bearing the brunt of this decline.

However, Luis Enrique is putting his faith in the Brazil captain to start showing his true colours again, starting in Seville. The tactician feels that Neymar still has a key role to play as Barça look to capture silverware on several fronts over the next couple of months.

WITH ARSENAL AND LIVERPOOL VYING FOR HIS ATTENTION

The nº24 player will stand in for Toni Kroos in the match against Eibar. In all probability, it will be one of the last times we will see him wearing the Real shirt, as Carlo Ancelotti can find little use for him. As things stand, he has a foot and a half out of the Bernabéu's back door. The player has realised that he does not form a part of his manager's plans. The only possibility of him getting a look-in would be if the Italian left. And if Zinedine Zidane were to replace him, all the better, as the two get on very well together.

Such musings are of course pipe dreams. The reality is that Ancelotti is going nowhere - but Illarra most certainly is. At present, the player has various offers on the table from Premier League clubs and he is deciding which one to run away with. The main contenders are Arsenal and Liverpool. Whatever happens, he looks set to play in England.

Arsenal have been after the player for some time now. Liverpool, on the other hand, are the new kids on the block and over the last few weeks their desire to take the player in has grown exponentially. The club is ready to put in a succulent offer to Real, who paid out €32 million to Real Sociedad for him back in the summer of 2013. If the two clubs reach an agreement, Illarra would love to make a move to Anfield.