Bale's blitz bolsters Zidane's debut

Welsh forward's second hat-trick in four games triggers demolition of Deportivo

Zinedine Zidane is urging Gareth Bale to maintain his sensational form after he got the Frenchman's reign as Real Madrid boss off to a flying start with a hat-trick in a 5-0 demolition of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday.

Madrid moved to within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona in Zidane's debut in senior management at Santiago Bernabeu as Bale registered his second three-goal effort in four games. Karim Benzema notched the other two goals.