Cedric Bakambu scores twice to keep Villarreal in La Liga title hunt

Madrid - Congolese international Cedric Bakambu struck twice as Villarreal moved to within three points of leaders Barcelona with their sixth successive La Liga win, 2-0 over Sporting Gijon on Sunday.

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Roberto Soldado provided the ammunition for both his strike partner's goals with crosses that Bakambu clinically dispatched either side of half-time to take his tally for the season to 12.

Victory moves Villarreal eight points clear of Celta Vigo in fifth with the Galicians hosting Atletico Madrid later on Sunday.

However, their ambitions of just making the top four may be revised having built up a huge lead over the other expected challengers for a Champions League spot, including Sevilla and Valencia, in the first half of the season.

Marcelino's men trail Real Madrid by just a point having also contributed to Rafael Benitez's sacking as Madrid boss by inflicting his final defeat in charge of Real last month.

Zinedine Zidane got his reign as new Madrid boss off to a flying start as Gareth Bale hit a hat-trick in a 5-0 mauling of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday.

However, they remain two points adrift of Barcelona - having also played a game more - as Lionel Messi also bagged his first hat-trick of the season in the European champions' 4-0 rout of Granada.