Cristiano Ronaldo is beginning to make a habit of scoring at the start of games for Real Madrid. After netting in the first minute against Xerez last weekend, the world's most expensive footballer waited until the second minute tonight to send Los Blancos on their way to a 2-0 victory over Villarreal at El Madrigal.
The home side's cause wasn't helped by the dismissal of Gonzalo Rodriguez, who picked up two first half yellow cards for fouls on Ronaldo, and Brazilian playmaker Kaka.
The goal, which stunned the Madrigal faithful before some had found their seats, was typical of the winger as his surging solo run at the heart of the Villarreal defence was capped by a typically clinical finish from the edge of the box.
Ronaldo has now scored in his first four league games for the Blancos, which is a record at Real Madrid, and after the visitors took the lead it was plain sailing with the Portuguese star in fine form, showing some of his trademark trickery and producing some excellent runs.
Madrid dominated proceedings early on and coach Manuel Pellegrini will have been pleased to see his side produce a resolute and organised defensive display too which stifled anything the home side could muster in the attacking third.
A fine move midway through the half involving Guti and Brazilian duo Kaka and Marcelo nearly produced a sublime team goal to give the visitors a two goal cushion but Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain couldn't fashion the finish the move so richly deserved.
Another Argentinian, Fernando Gago asserted his authority on the game with a commanding display in the centre of the park as Los Merengues continued to dominate, though a mix up between Sergio Ramos and goalkeeper Iker Casillas almost gifted the home side an equaliser from Angel's cross after half an hour.
Rodriguez saw red moments later for his second bookable offense to make the improbable, impossible for the home side. Ronaldo continued to terrorise the Villarreal defence but 1-0 it stayed at the break.
Villarreal, and Giuseppe Rossi in particular started brightly after the interval but it wasn't long before Real reasserted their dominance bringing a brilliant double save from Diego Lopez as first Higuain and then Ronaldo tested the Yellow Submarine's custodian.
The home side gave as good as they got for large periods of the second half but their threat soon faded as Kaka scored from the penalty spot shortly after the hour mark for his first goal in a Madrid shirt after Angel had handled Marcelo's cross.
The penalty decision was a harsh one but Madrid were worthy of a two goal lead and could have made it three late on as second half substitute Raul should have done better as he blazed a shot over the bar.
It finished 2-0 to the visitors and it was a win the performance deserved. They join Barcelona on 12 points as the top two set a swift early pace in La Liga while Villarreal must look to bounce back against Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor on Sunday.
Paul Madden, Goal.com
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