There is an old, familiar look to the Spanish football league table after twin giants Real Madrid and Barcelona both won on Saturday.

Real enjoyed a 4-1 romp in Malaga, and Barca beat previous leaders Valencia 2-1 at home.

These results leave Real top with 17 points from seven games and Barca joint second with Valencia on 16.

However, Villarreal — currently fourth on 15 — will go top if they manage to beat Hercules away on Monday.

Real’s heroes against Malaga were Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo, who both scored twice. Mesut Ozil turned in a classy performance, too, which meant that Real were always in the driving seat and constantly creating chances.

Ronaldo, league top scorer with six goals, said: “The most important thing is that we continue to win, not that I score the goals. I am very happy because of the way we played tonight.” Higuain and Sami Khedira both hit the woodwork early on with long drives. Higuain volleyed Real ahead in the 31st minute on a perfect centre from Ronaldo.

The Portuguese winger made it 2-0 just before half-time after being cleverly set up by Ozil, who looks more at home in a Real shirt with every match he plays.

The monologue continued into the second half, and Ronaldo made it 3-0 with a calm penalty in the 51st minute after Ozil had been pulled down by Edu Ramos.

Five minutes later, defender Kris pulled a goal back for Malaga from a corner, but Ronaldo then set up Higuain to make it 4-1.

Jose Mourinho’s team have scored 10 goals in their last two league matches. They have scored 16 in all and conceded only three.

Earlier on Saturday, Barca came from behind to beat Valencia 2-1.

Valencia dominated the first half and went ahead through Pablo.

Barca took control after the interval and turned the tables with goals from World Cup heroes Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol.

“We really needed to win today,” said a relieved Puyol.

“They did very well in the first half, but we were quite superior in the second half and should really have scored more goals.” Valencia made an aggressive start and created several good chances before Pablo’s opening goal, which came in the 38th minute on a good centre from left-back Jeremy Mathieu.

Pablo then came close to making it 2-0 but was foiled by Barca keeper Victor Valdes.

The hosts came out for the second half firing on all cylinders, and Iniesta quickly made it 1-1 with a precise low drive, after a clever one-two with Xavi.

The winning goal came in the 63rd minute, when an inch-perfect centre from Xavi was bravely headed home by fellow veteran Puyol.

David Villa — playing against his former club — and Lionel Messi then missed good chances to polish off Valencia.

The visitors hardly touched the ball in the second half and hardly looked like title contenders.