On Wednesday night Manuel Pellegrini returned to El Madrigal, where he was the man at the helm for five years when Villarreal achieved their greatest success in the Spanish top flight. Supported by the play of Ronaldo and Kaka, the Chilean manager led Real Madrid to victory against a Villarreal team struggling to re-establish themselves as a perennial league contender.

Under Pellegrini Villarreal finished second in La Liga, ten points ahead of Barcelona, during the 2007-2008 season as well as Champions League semi-finals appearance in 2005-2006. Considered a challenger for a top position in the league this year, "the yellow submarine" have started the campaign sluggishly, not the time to play host to a Real Madrid squad looking to improve on their perfect start.

Continuing where they left off against Xerez, Los Blancos were off to a quick start again last night. Much like their start against the Andalucia club on Sunday, Cristiano gave Pellegrini's side an early advantage with a brilliant run in the second minute. Weaving his way skillfully through defenders, the Portuguese international's strike from the top of the box gave Real a lead they would not squander.

A second yellow card from the home side's captain, Gonzalo, put Villarreal at a disadvantage from which they could not recover. While being out possessed, Real demonstrated why they have begun this campaign on a perfect twelve points through four games and Villarreal, a presumed candidate for European qualification, hava yet to record a win through the first four fixtures.

The home side, trailing from the early goal, contested two game changing decisions made by the referee; however, replays confirmed that both calls were justified and correct. A blatant dangerous play led to the second yellow card for the Argentine international Gonzalo, sending him off early in only the thirty-fifth minute. With twenty minutes remaining in the match, Madrid's advantage still only one, the referee signalled for a penalty after a Marcelo cross in the area was apparently knocked down by the right arm of Villarreal defender Angel Lopez. Replays confirmed the accuracy of the decision and a very composed Kaka was on target from the spot for his first goal in the famed white shirts.

Had it not been for a talented save from Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez minutes later, Ronaldo would have sealed his third double in a row. The Spanish international denied Ronaldo from a well-struck set piece, an area where Cristiano has flourished so far this season. While concerns have been that Real have yet to face a team of quality, Wednesday night at El Madrigal should send a message to the rest of the league. Coupled with an away victory at Espanyol, Madrid has proven thus far that they can beat quality opponents on the road, an area they struggled in during their last league campaign.

One must keep in mind that the majority of Real Madrid's talented nucleus is new to the Bernabeu. Taking into account factors such as team chemistry that strengthen as players become accustomed to one another, knowing how their teammates move off the ball; Real Madrid's form is only going to improve as the season moves forward. While Barcelona have not seem to have lost a step after their impressive run last season, if Madrid's form continues to improve at such an exponential rate than an usurpation of trophies should be in line for the boys in white.

Team doctors confirmed Ruud Van Nistelrooy's injury on Monday. Making his first appearance this season from a long injury layoff, the Dutch international will miss the subsequent six weeks after sustaining a quadriceps injury scoring the fifth and final goal against Xerez. On a positive note, Raul became the most capped player in Real Madrid history last night. As a 67th minute replacement for Gonzalo Higuain, Raul was capped for the 524th time, the most league appearances for Los Blancos.