MADRID, April 6 (AFP) - Real Madrid stayed top in Spain with a 3-1 defeat of city rivals Rayo Vallecano here on Saturday as Portuguese international Luis Figo made a goal-scoring return from injury.

Real have a three-point lead over Valencia, who play Real Sociedad on Sunday, after putting on a superb display of attacking football at the Bernabeu.

Their first goal was farcical as Brazilian international defender Roberto Carlos unleashed a shot which rebounded off the post before striking the legs of Vallecano goalkeeper Imanol Etxeberria and rolling into the net.

Morientes rounded Etxeberria for the second goal in the 38th minute.

Figo made his return after a month out with an ankle injury as he came on for Zinedine Zidane in the 77th minute.

Within a minute, Guti had been fouled to earn a penalty and Figo stepped up to stroke the spot kick into the net.

Jean Francois claimed a consolation for Vallecano but Madrid looked impressive before they host Bayern Munich on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with the Germans leading 2-1.

Deportivo La Coruna striker Diego Tristan was roundly condemned after a dreadful challenge on Manchester United star David Beckham in their Champions League match in midweek.

But Tristan showed his real talent by scoring a hat-trick in Deportivo's 5-0 thrashing of Real Mallorca. He needed just 13 minutes to take all three goals as Victor and Sergio added the finishing touches.

Deportivo are third, four points behind Real Madrid.

Barcelona's Argentinian youngster Javier Saviola underlined what he could achieve at this year's World Cup finals when he scored both goals in his side's 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao.

Saviola will hope he has earned a first-team place for Barca's Champions League return with Panathinaikos on Tuesday after being left on the bench for the 1-0 defeat in the first leg.

The Catalans sit fourth after their victory.

Las Palmas drew 1-1 with Real Zaragoza in Saturday's other match.