A first half exhibition of attacking play set Real Madrid up for a 3-0 win over Villarreal on Wednesday but they still trail surprise leaders Levante who earlier came from behind to beat Real Sociedad 3-2. Real are in blistering form and have now scored 28 goals in their last seven games in all competitions, an average of four a match, but they are a point adrift of Levante.
Champions Barcelona are third two points behind Levante. Karim Benzema sent Real on their way with a clinical finish after just three minutes.
Kaka fired in the second minutes later against Villarreal whose coach Juan Carlos Garrido is under pressure with the side having not won in seven games. Angel Di Maria finished off a fine team move for the third after 30 minutes and with the game won Real relaxed in the second half while Villarreal offered little threat. “The plan is to continue as we are doing and picking up points. We are working towards finding our best form and there are still things to improve upon,” said Real’s assistant coach Aitor Karanka.
“In the last few games we have scored goals quickly and then we have eased off with the difficult part of the job done.” A sensational injury time winner against Sociedad kept Levante in pole position. Ruben Suarez’ injury-time winner allowed Levante to retake top spot in La Liga off champions Barcelona. The modest side from Valencia are sweeping all before them at the moment in a superb start to the season. Sociedad went ahead after just three minutes when a poor clearance from the keeper fell to Daniel Estrada who slotted the ball home. It looked as though it was going to be Sociedad’s night as they then hit the post through Alberto De la Bella and had the better of the first half.