European wrap: Kylian Mbappe nets brace as Real Madrid go top of LaLiga

Real Madrid claimed top spot in LaLiga with a 4-1 win over Las Palmas and welcomed back David Alaba from a 13-month absence.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice - taking his tally for the season to 18 - and Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo also netted after Fabio Silva had stunned the Bernabeu inside 30 seconds.

But the biggest cheers - and a standing ovation - was reserved for Austria defender Alaba, who had been out of action since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee in December 2023.

Real might have won by a greater margin against opponents reduced to 10 men by Benito Ramirez's studs-high challenge on Lucas Vazquez after 64 minutes.

Mbappe was denied his first Real hat-trick by a VAR review and Federico Valverde also had two offside efforts ruled out as boss Carlo Ancelotti celebrated his 150th LaLiga victory.

Real are two points ahead of Atletico Madrid, surprise losers at Leganes on Saturday, and seven clear of third-placed Barcelona.

Athletic Bilbao moved level on points with Barcelona by beating Celta Vigo 2-1.

Alex Berenguer and Dani Vivian struck in the space of nine second-half minutes to put the visitors in command before Hugo Alvarez grabbed a Celta consolation.

Valencia climbed off the bottom of the table by stunning seventh-placed Real Sociedad 1-0.

Hugo Duro came up with the 26th-minute decider as Valencia won for only the third time in the league this season.

Osasuna and Rayo Vallecano drew 1-1 as Raul Garcia cancelled out Sergio Camello's goal for the visitors.

Inter Milan kept the pressure on Serie A leaders Napoli with a 3-1 victory over Empoli at San Siro.

Lautaro Martinez moved into double figures for the season with a 55th-minute strike from distance, and Denzel Dumfries headed a second 11 minutes