Five-star Madrid hit the front

Karim Benzema scored his first Real Madrid CF goal and Ruud van Nistelrooy returned from injury with the fifth in a 5-0 win against Xerez CD that moved Los Merengues top of the Liga on goal difference.

Ronaldo double
The promoted side must have feared the worst when they fell behind inside the first minute, Cristiano Ronaldo picking up a loose ball and bursting past four defenders before drilling a finish inside the near post. The home side had to wait until the final 15 minutes before adding a second, however, Ronaldo again on target with a thumping header from a corner, before Guti added a third after hesitant defending and Benzema got in on the act with a deflected drive. Goal number five was then converted by Van Nistelrooy, the 79th-minute substitute for Ronaldo back in action for the first time since suffering a knee-ligament injury in November 2008 and marking his return by latching on to a Guti pass and finishing with his customary aplomb.

Villa brace
Valencia CF were also protecting a perfect record at home to Real Sporting de Gijón, but the visitors took the lead when David Barral capitalised on an early counterattack. The match turned when former Sporting striker David Villa fired in a loose ball to level on 24 minutes and, moments later, the away side were reduced to ten men when Míchel was dismissed for a second booking. Villa curled in a sumptuous second on the hour but plucky Sporting secured a point when Grégory Arnolin headed a late equaliser. Elsewhere, Joseba Llorente scored twice as Athletic Club Bilbao maintained their flawless start with a 3-2 win against Villarreal CF, UD Almería edged Getafe CF 1-0 and Real Valladolid CF were 2-1 victors at Real Zaragoza.