Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol: Cristiano Ronaldo Penalty Sends Los Merengues On Their Way To Victory

Posted Wednesday, September 22, 2010 by Goal.com

Ronaldo's penalty, a second from Higuain and a late Benzema third gave the home team three points...

Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol: Cristiano Ronaldo Penalty Sends Los Merengues On Their Way To Victory
Ronaldo, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao

Cristaino Ronaldo set Real Madrid on their way with a first half penalty, before Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema added further strikes in a victorty over Espanyol that somewhat flattered the home team.

Real Madrid have yet to find top form and have been more steady than spectacular so far this season and they began the match in much the same vein, although the first opportunity fell to Espanyol and Jose Callejon who was played in by Joan Verdú whose clever flick from a Chica cross found the wide man, but his first time volley whistled wide of the far post.

A warning for the home team and one they duly replied to when Angel Di Maria was played through on the right side of the penalty box by Mesut Ozil but Carlos Kameni was equal to the Argentinean's shot, putting it out for a corner.

Madrid seemed more settled and were passing the ball round quicker and with a sharpness not seen so far this season.

They then won a penalty when a Cristiano Ronaldo freekick struck the hand of Luis Garcia in the wall, the referee gave the spot kick much to the annoyance of the Espanyol players.

The Portuguese had to retake the penalty as he was judged to have fainted after his run-up was complete, bu t he held his nerve and made it 1-0 at the second attempt.

That settled Jose Mourinho's team as they were keeping the ball well, but they were given a warning just before half time when Verdu was left unmarked on the penalty spot but his low side footed shot went way wide.

Espanyol may have had the better chances but Los Merengues certainly had more of the ball as the half time whistle blew.

After the interval the Periquitos looked more lively as the searched for an equaliser with the best opportunity falling to Verdu whose shot from inside the area was well parried by Casillias.

Things got worse for Real as Pepe was sent off for two bookable offences, the second was shirt pulling, both could have and should have been avoided, but Espanyol's man advantage did not last long as Ernesto Galán was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Ronaldo moments later, though it could be argued it was not a red card offence.

Real Madrid looked to close the game and had perfect opportunities to do so as Higuain and Sergio Ramos both squandered fabulous openings. But he Argentinean eventually hit the back of the net after latching onto a superb Ronaldo pass.

Karim Benzema then made it three with a late strike and Juan Forlin was sent off for his protestations after the goal which earned him a second yellow card.

The victory put Jose Mourinho's men on top of La Liga for the time being as Valencia face off with Atlético Madrid on Wednesday, while Espanyol remain in eighth place.