Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Valencia on Saturday night was arguably the club’s best win this season, and it came without the services of both Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

Click here to buy Real Madrid tickets

Needing a win to keep pace with rivals Barcelona, Madrid’s bid to attain a victory at the Mestalla took a turn for the worse when influential playmaker Kaka withdrew because of injury hours before kick off.

Having already lost Ronaldo due to suspension, Madrid’s clash with Valencia provided the footballing world with a maiden insight on how they would perform without two of the world game’s big guns.

The result - a very convincing 3-2 victory against a Valencia side which had established themselves as dangerous contenders this season.

Prior to their loss to Madrid, Valencia’s last two months in La Liga have been outstanding, winning six games and drawing three to put themselves in third position in the table.

Influential forward David Villa is once again playing a pivotal role for Valencia, leading the scoring charts in La Liga with 12 goals so far.

Whilst the Spain striker made his presence felt upfront against Madrid with a great header in the first half, it failed to mend the confidence of opposition desperate to keep league leaders Barcelona in their sights.

Despite making do without both Ronaldo and Kaka, Real were still able to conjure enough class  to achieve arguably their most valuable win of the season.

Crucial off-season signing Karim Benzema had his best match to date, assisting in Gonzalo Higuain’s first goal and keeping Valencia defender Bruno very busy at right back.

The Frenchman has lived in the shadows of both Kaka and Ronaldo for most of the season, but their absence yesterday seemed to bring out the best in the former Lyon player.

Higuain also continues to go from strength to strength, scoring two more and adding to an impressive goal scoring tally which puts the 21-year-old on nine goals in his past nine games for Manuel Pelligrini’s men.

Even though Madrid’s apparent worries in attack were put to rest thanks to the match-winning performances of Benzema and Higuain, question marks over their defence were also raised due to a serious injury to key man Pepe.

The Portuguese defender was combining well with Sergio Ramos before twisting his knee and being stretchered off just before half-time.

Pepe’s injury was the last setback Madrid needed in a game where goal scoring opportunities were presenting themselves on a regular basis.

Replacement defender Ezequiel Garay, however, performed well under pressure, culminating in his match-winning header late in the game to give Madrid a very valuable three points.

Whilst Garay’s communication with fellow defender Albiol is still a work in progress, the young Argentine no doubt has a chance to stake a claim for a permanent position in Madrid’s back four following Pepe’s serious injury.

His crucial goal has certainly injected the confidence necessary that could see Madrid wrestle league supremacy away from rivals Barcelona - with or without star signings Ronaldo and Kaka.