Real Madrid took over as favourites for the La Liga title after coming from behind to defeat Barcelona 3-1 at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening.

The victory lifted Ancelotti’s team to within a point of the league leaders and the Madrid boss hailed the attitude of his star-studded squad afterwards.

Real were under pressure going into the first El Clasico of the season, having dropped points and fallen four behind their bitter rivals.

Barcelona had not conceded a single league goal in eight games this season and looked on course to continue their imperious form when Neymar struck after just four minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo levelled matters from the spot before the break, and second-half goals from Pepe and Karim Benzema secured a comfortable victory for the home side.

Afterwards, Ancelotti heaped the praise on his players. He said: “We didn’t lose our heads after conceding.

“We stuck to our plan and I like what I saw because we maintained a high rhythm of play after Liverpool.”

The former Chelsea boss appeared to believe that his team’s desire outweighed that of their opponents in all areas.

He added: “We wanted to attack, with possession, using the wings. In the second half we won the game because we wanted to win it.”

The win brought to an end a fantastic week for the European champions after their emphatic success at Anfield on Wednesday. Ancelotti’s team is purring at the moment, with his big-money summer recruits James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos settling in perfectly.

Madrid are 1.25 to win their tenth consecutive game when they meet Granada (8.24) in their next match.