Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said Cristiano Ronaldo did his talking on the pitch after netting a hat trick in the 4-1 win at Alaves on Saturday.
Alaves went ahead early on as Deyverson took advantage of a mix-up in the visitors' defence, but Ronaldo's penalty and then a deflected 25-yard shot had Madrid ahead by half-time.
A scrappy second half saw Ronaldo have a second penalty saved by Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco, before substitute Alvaro Morata and the Portuguese again netted in the closing stages to ensure the three points for their side.
Ronaldo had been criticised last week after just two goals in his first six La Liga games of the season, but Zidane told his postmatch news conference that the 31-year-old had been working hard and got his reward.
"It is always better like this -- that Cristiano scores, even better three," Zidane said. "Cristiano is showing it on the pitch. Today he has scored three goals. We always ask for goals from Cristiano, but he was doing very well in all aspects. For sure he will have another game when he doesn't score, but he has patience. He showed today that with hard work he gets back to doing what he knows -- scoring goals."
Madrid were far from their best and needed goalkeeper Keylor Navas to make two fine saves when the game was at 2-1 during the second half.
Zidane admitted his team had suffered at times, but said they had reacted well to falling behind.
"That is football," he said. "If you do not suffer, you cannot win La Liga. Today we knew how to suffer, against an opponent who made it difficult for us. But we kept calm heads, even through difficult moments, and that is normal in this league. It can be tough for opponent to take, after what they did, but it was a deserved win for us."
Referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez angered the home side so much that both Alaves coach Mauricio Pellegrino and his assistant were sent to the stands for loud complaints on the sidelines.
"I'm not getting into anything about the referee," Zidane said. "They do their work. Both were clear penalties. I never criticise referees, they have a tough job. They do not go out to help any team."
The Frenchman was also not too keen to discuss a reporter's suggestion that in-form Morata now deserved to start over Karim Benzema as centre-forward.
"Both are very good," he said. "Today Morata scored, Benzema did not, but he worked hard. Both are doing very well."
Zidane was cautious when asked about the seriousness of an apparent hamstring injury which saw centre-back Pepe substituted early in the first half.
"We will do a scan when we get back to Madrid, either today or tomorrow," he said. "I cannot say how long he'll be out yet. We must keep going with all the players who are available. I hope Pepe is back with us soon."