Ancelotti accepts blame for El Clasico defeat as Xavi hails 'superior' Barcelona

Carlo Ancelotti accepted the blame for Real Madrid's embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in La Liga on Sunday night.

Los Blancos were humbled on home turf by Barca in El Clasico as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice, while Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres also found the net.

Real Madrid top scorer Karim Benzema was sidelined with a calf injury, but Ancelotti refused to make any excuses for the loss.

'It is tough because it is a Clasico, for the fans when we play against Barca... it is a blow, we have lost a battle, we still have an advantage and we have to stay calm and get back our injured players.

'We were unrecognisable, everything went wrong, we have to forget that and move forward, we have a big lead [in La Liga]. I, the coach, am at fault.'

It was only Real Madrid's third defeat in La Liga this season and the first time they were beaten at the Bernabeu.

Nonetheless, Ancelotti's side remain nine points clear of second-place Sevilla and are in pole position to lift their second title in three years.

For Barcelona, it was a fifth consecutive league victory as their resurgence under Xavi continues. They are up to third in La Liga, three points behind Sevilla who they have a game in hand over.

The Catalan club have scored at least four goals in five of their last eight matches in all competitions, with new signing Aubameyang proving particularly prolific.

'We had the game under control all night,' Xavi said. 'The players are like a family.

'I'm proud and happy and Barcelona fans should enjoy it. We've shown ourselves that we can compete with anyone.

'We have been much more superior, in both goals and in the game. We leave here smiling from ear to ear.'