Real Madrid's 5-1 win over Malaga at the weekend after their disappointing exit from the European Cup shows they can now reclaim the Spanish title, according to striker Fernando Morientes.

"It was the perfect way to heal the wounds of our elimination from the European Cup," said the Spanish international, who scored two goals as deputy for the injured Ronaldo.

"We have no one to fear and although Real (Sociedad) are going very well, the league will end up in our hands if we continue to show ourselves to be strong."

Real's dreams of a 10th European title were shattered last week when Juventus swept to a 3-1 win at the Delle Alpi to take a 4-3 aggregate victory in their Champions League semi-final.

But their prospects of gaining consolation on the domestic front by winning a 29th Spanish title received a significant boost at the weekend.

With former leaders Deportivo Coruna slipping to a 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia, Real's comprehensive victory at the Bernabeu allowed them to move ahead of the Galicians into second place in the table.

With four games left to the end of the season Vicente del Bosque's side are now just a point behind Real Sociedad, who edged a narrow 1-0 victory over struggling Recreativo Huelva, and two ahead of Deportivo.

"We needed a game like this after our elimination at the hands of Juve," said midfielder Zinedine Zidane.

"We played very well and you could see that we have recovered from our defeat, although the negative side is that Real (Sociedad) didn't slip up."

Real face what is likely to be their stiffest test in the title run-in when they play fourth-placed Valencia at the Mestalla next Saturday.

Leaders Sociedad visit Malaga while Depor have a tricky away match against Galician neighbours Celta Vigo.