Real Madrid kept pace with champions Barcelona at the top of the Spanish First Division defeating 10-man Villarreal 2-0 at El Madrigal on Wednesday with Cristiano Ronaldo continuing his goal-a-game record while Brazilian Kaka scored his first Real goal from the penalty spot.
Ronaldo scored a great solo goal in the very first minute to make it five goals in four games and Kaka converted a controversial penalty for his first goal in Real's colours. "It was important to start (the season) winning games," said Ronaldo. "I am really happy to win here and also to continue scoring goals. It was a fourth straight win for Real as they joined Barcelona, who defeated Racing Santander 4-1 on Tuesday, on a maximum 12 points. It was a special win for Real coach Manuel Pellegrini - who spent five successful seasons at Villarreal - and also captain Raul who came on as a substitute to equal Manolo Sanchis's league appearance record of 504 games.
Ronaldo joins Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Valencia striker David Villa on five goals at the top of the goal-scoring charts and is developing a habit of early goals having scored in the first minute in Sunday's 5-0 drubbing of Xerez.
Neighbours Atletic Madrid were jeered off the pitch at the Vicente Calderon after a 2-2 draw with Almeria on Tuesday. Valencia were another of the top sides to disappoint falling to their first defeat of the season losing 3-1 at Getafe despite taking the lead through Villa. Valencia fall to sixth and are already five points off the pace at the top. In other matches, Athletic Bilbao saw their perfect start come to an end with a 1-0 defeat by promoted Tenerife.
Mikel Alonso, the elder brother of Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso, scored a late winner to stop Bilbao from joining Barca and Real on 12 points. Elsewhere Xerez are still searching for their first ever goal and point in the Spanish top-flight after a 3-0 home loss against Deportivo La Coruna.