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One goal apiece from Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo in the first half were enough as Real Madrid sink the Yellow Submarine 2-0 to move to 5th position in the league.Billed as a tricky away fixture, Real came to El Madrigal on the back of a series of resounding victories and were able to keep the momentum going as they eventually got the better of an improving Villarreal side.Here are the 5 talking points from the game.
#1 Real continue to progress post disappointing start
The reigning European Champions made a sluggish start to their 2014-15 campaign when they suffered 2 back to back defeats in the league but have made significant improvements post that.
Real engaged in an early onslaught and deservedly found the breakthrough right at the stroke of half-hour, when Modric's low drive from 20 yards put them ahead. Shortly after, the visitors doubled their lead when Ronaldo latched on to a pass by Karim Benzema, who checked the back before teeing up.
The 'Yellow Submarine' put up a resilient performance and threatened to score on multiple occasions. However, they failed to get past Real's obdurate defence and subsequently, ended up losing the tie.
#2 Ronaldo continues his goal-scoring spree
Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo was once again on target as he took his tally to 10 in the league for this season. The Portuguese has been in rampaging form of late, having scored 7 goals in last 2 outings with Los Blancos and unsurprisingly, was at it once again.
Just 8 minutes after Modric gave visitors the lead, the 29-year old picked Benzema's cut back and prodded home a sublime right footed shot from a close range, to make it 2-0.
Ronaldo has accrued 13 goals in all competitions this season, 10 of which came in La Liga, thereby making him the top scorer in the league. There's no mistaking that Ronaldo has conjured his fierceful best and will hungry for more goals in the forthcoming fixtures.
#3 Will the real Benzema please stand up?
Although Benzema made an amazing assist to set-up Ronaldo, that isn't his forte and was once again disappointing from the pertinent point of scoring.
The Real Madrid striker has now gone 510 minutes without a goal and is currently enduring a torrid time in front of goal.
The Frenchman last found the net in La Liga during Real's league opener against the newly promoted Cordoba, where his sublime header from a corner set-piece put Real ahead and opened the goal account for the hosts. The only other goal by the former Lyon forward was in the Whites' 5-1 thrashing of Basel in the opening game of 2014-15 Champions League.
All in all, Karim Benzema has been in and out of form this season and must spruce up at the earliest, if he were to retain his position in the starting lineup, ahead of Chicharito.
#4 Villareal couldn\'t make Real pay for their poor defending
Despite creating a multitude of chances, Villarreal failed to convert them and were punished as they went down 2-0 just before the break.
The home team were completely devoid of attacking verve as they spurned a few good chances and a rock solid defending by Ramos and Varane kept them at bay. The home team threatened from the left flank, with Mario Gaspar regularly overlapping Cani into space. Marcelo’s positioning is often called into question, but he received little support from those in front of him on this particular occasion.
There were times when the same situation occurred down the right, with Villarreal striker Luciano Vietto regularly moving wide to link with Moises Gomez and left-back Gabriel Paulista. Dani Carvajal once again received minimal support from the back.
Villarreal continued to be potent even in the second half but failed to take their chances.
#5 Up next for Real
Real Madrid have so far made impressive recovery from their initial glitches and will now turn their attention towards the mid-week Champions League clash against debutants, Ludogorets Razgrad.
Carlo Ancelotti and his men will travel to Razgrad,Bulgaria, for the fixture and will attempt at continuing their fine run of victories.
