Real Madrid closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to just three points after battling to a 2-1 win at Almeria.
Manuel Pellegrini’s team were pushed hard by an Almeria side who refused to be over-awed by their more illustrious opponents, and indeed the Andalusians took the lead with their first attack of the game through Albert Crusat, only for Cristiano Ronaldo to level matters with an excellent individual goal on 27 minutes.
Both teams went for broke in an enthralling encounter, though it was Van der Vaart who grabbed the winner for Real in the 69th minute, rifling home from the edge of the area.