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Valencia's captain and defender Carlos Marchena celebrates after scoring a goal against Xerez during their Spanish league football match at Chapin stadium in Jerez. Valencia made it seven wins from nine on the road defeating bottom side Xerez 3-1 to move three points behind second-placed Real Madrid in the Spanish top-flight.

Real Madrid moved top of the Spanish league for the first time since the end of November beating Real Mallorca 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday as they maintained their flawless home record with a ninth consecutive win.

Argentine Gonzalo Higuain made it six goals in his last five league outings with a seventh minute strike before substitute Esteban Granero netted early in the second half as Real reached the summit for the first time since surrendering the lead with a 1-0 loss at Barcelona on November 21.

Real move a point ahead of Barcelona at the summit although the champions can reclaim top spot with victory at Tenerife later on Sunday.

Mallorca drop to sixth although they are only one point off the Champions League spots due to their 100 percent home record of eight wins.

Freezing temperatures and snow in the Spanish capital saw some Real fans stay in the warmth of their home but for the players gloves and undergarments were the order of the day.

Kaka returned for Real in his first appearance since injuring his groin at the end of November while Fernando Gago was given a rare start.

Mallorca had won 3-1 at Real last season but got off to a nightmare start conceding after just seven minutes.

Higuain cut inside and curled a beautiful shot into the top corner with his left foot that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

It was an 11th goal of the season for Higuain taking him just one behind Valencia's David Villa in the goalscoring charts.

Two minutes later Mallorca almost levelled but Gonzalo Castro headed wide when well-placed at the back post.

On 25 minutes Kaka should have scored when through on goal but was off balance and his lofted shot went over.

Mallorca still remained in contention at 1-0 but their second half game plan went out the window when Granero scored four minutes after the break.

Granero, on as a substitute for the injured Rafael van der Vaart, arrived on cue in the box to show great technique to volley in Higuain's cross with his left foot.

Valencia lie six points behind Real in third after making it seven wins from nine on the road defeating bottom side Xerez 3-1 on Sunday.

"Barcelona and Real Madrid have a high number of points and in past seasons we would be top or close to them with the points tally we have," said Valencia coach Unai Emery.

Spanish internationals Juan Mata, David Silva and Carlos Marchena were all on target to clinch victory at Xerez and boost confidence for Thursday's last 16 King's Cup match at Deportivo La Coruna.

Deportivo are four points behind Valencia in fourth after a 1-0 home victory over Osasuna on Sunday thanks to a Juan Rodriguez goal.

Depor won 2-1 at Valencia in the first leg of the Kings Cup tie so Valencia will need to win at the Riazor to progress to the quarter-finals.

In other matches, new Real Zaragoza coach Jose Aurelio Gay has not managed to change the club's fortunes as his side crashed to a 2-1 loss at Espanyol and stay second from bottom.