Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said a moment of magic from Karim Benzema had been the key to his side's 3-0 La Liga win at Getafe on Sunday.
After a slow start at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, Madrid upped the tempo after half-time and ran out easy winners thanks to second-half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo (two) and Gareth Bale.
Ancelotti told his postmatch news conference that Benzema's superb assist for Ronaldo's opener just after the hour mark had unlocked the door.
"Karim's play in that move was spectacular," he said. "The whole team played well, but the key to the game was Karim's play -- he did something extraordinary."
Ancelotti admitted his team had not shone during the opening period, putting their slow start down to an intense Copa del Rey game against Atletico Madrid on Thursday.
"In general, the game was very good," he said. "But at the start, we did not play with much intensity. Our play was pretty slow, but we had played on Thursday night.
"But the second half was better, and after the break we had more intensity. We had the intelligence to know how to win the game."
The Italian said the performance of James Rodriguez, who provided the other two assists, showed that his players were getting back to their best after a tough start to 2015.
"The intensity we had before Christmas was a bit better, but the team is improving now," he said.
"At the start of the year, James was not so good physically. Today, he played an extraordinary game. Bit by bit, the team is getting into its best condition."
The result means Madrid are confirmed as La Liga's "winter champions," having reached the halfway point of the season clear at the top of the table.
"This first half of the season we have done very well," Ancelotti said. "We started with some slips, but then had a very good run. We are well positioned now, and must continue like this."
The Copa del Rey exit to Atletico means Real's players can rest this midweek and prepare for Saturday's trip to Cordoba.
"We have not had many full weeks to train, or to work on particular individual things," Ancelotti explained. "We now have a chance to prepare well for our next game."