Source: Eurosport
Football: Kaka nets 1st goal as Real keep up with Barca
MADRID (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 on Wednesday with Cristiano Ronaldo continuing his goal-a-game record while Brazilian Kaka scored his first Real goal from the penalty spot.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]Ronaldo has so far not had any problems living up to his world record fee and opened the scoring in the very first minute.[LNB]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.[LNB]The former Manchester United man joins Barcelona's Lionel Messi 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.[LNB]Gonzalo Higuain should have netted a second on 22 minutes but shot wide after Marcelo had put the chance on a plate for the Argentine.[LNB]Villarreal were handicapped from the 34th minute when stand-in captain Gonzalo Rodriguez picked up a somewhat harsh yellow card for clipping Kaka in the ribs.[LNB]However, the ten men of Villarreal almost equalised early in the second period with Giuseppe Rossi drawing a fine save from Iker Casillas.[LNB]Strangely Villarreal played better with one man less as Real failed to build on a promising first half display.[LNB]Pellegrini responded by bringing on Raul for his 504th league appearance to equal Sanchis's record.[LNB]A fortunate penalty gifted Real the second goal they craved with Marcelo's cross accidentally hand-balled on 72 minutes.[LNB]Kaka ignored the angry jeers from the home fans to send the goalkeeper the wrong way for his first Real goal.[LNB]Neighbours Atletic Madrid were jeered off the pitch at the Vicente Calderon after a 2-2 draw with Almeria on Tuesday.[LNB]A late goal from Argentine Pablo Piatti denied Atletico a first win of the season and coach Abel Resino is increasingly under pressure with the club, fourth last season, sitting second from bottom on one point.[LNB]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.[LNB]It is Xerez's first ever season in the Spanish top division but it has not started well with no goals and no points from the first four games.[LNB]Unbeaten Valencia travel to Getafe later on Wednesday aiming to continue their positive start of seven points from nine.
