Double, double, toil and trouble

Real Madrid eased to a 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano through early goals from Álvaro Morata and Sergio Ramos. The defender was subsequently sent off for two bookings in as many minutes, one in the 17th minute for pushing Baptistao and one for blocking a cross with his hand a minute later.

A rejigged Real line-up – the product of injuries, suspensions and Mou's tinkering – came racing out of the blocks and seemed to have put the game to bed in the opening quarter of an hour. Having started ahead of Karim Benzema, Morata repaid the coach's faith with a goal just a couple of minutes in.

With Rayo firmly under the cosh, Sergio Ramos doubled the lead with a header after 12 minutes, but it all changed when the captain was sent for an early bath. The red-carded defender took Morata down with him, the youngster being subbed off in the 18th minute as Raúl Albiol came on to plug the gap in defence.

Rayo dictated proceedings against ten men and managed to create a fair amount of danger in what remained of the first period. 'Los Blancos' weathered the storm after the interval, however, and eventually cruised to victory in front of their home fans.