Kaka nets first goal as Real keep pace with Barca
Friday, 25 September 2009
MADRID, Sept 24 (AFP): Real Madrid kept pace with champions Barcelona at the top of the Spanish First Division defeating 10-man Villarreal 2-0 at El Madrigal 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.
"Villarreal are strong at home but we managed to get the three points."
It was a fourth straight win for Real as they joined Barcelona, who defeated Racing Santander 4-1 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.
It was a great day for Real but new Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde is feeling the heat as he searches for his first win in charge after two draws and two losses.
"The sending off changed the match and I don't think the handball (for the penalty) was intentional but the referee decided otherwise," bemoaned Valverde.
Ronaldo has so far not had any problems living up to his world record fee and opened the scoring in the very first minute.
The Portuguese international produced a neat turn before showing a great turn of pace to skip past two defenders and fire into the bottom corner.
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.
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.
"Villarreal are strong at home but we managed to get the three points."
It was a fourth straight win for Real as they joined Barcelona, who defeated Racing Santander 4-1 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.
It was a great day for Real but new Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde is feeling the heat as he searches for his first win in charge after two draws and two losses.
"The sending off changed the match and I don't think the handball (for the penalty) was intentional but the referee decided otherwise," bemoaned Valverde.
Ronaldo has so far not had any problems living up to his world record fee and opened the scoring in the very first minute.
The Portuguese international produced a neat turn before showing a great turn of pace to skip past two defenders and fire into the bottom corner.
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.