Real secure first away win

Spanish champions Real Madrid returned to winning ways in Spain’s Primera Division but were far from convincing in a laboured 2-0 victory at lowly city rivals Rayo Vallecano on Monday.

Karim Benzema finished off a swift breakaway in the 13th minute and Xabi Alonso had to clear a Rayo effort off the line before Cristiano Ronaldo netted from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.

It was only the second victory for Jose Mourinho’s side in five games this season and lifted them to seventh on seven points, eight behind leaders Barcelona, 2-0 winners at home to Granada on Saturday.

Real have already lost twice in the Primera Division – 2-1 at Getafe and 1-0 at Sevilla – the same number of defeats they suffered in the whole of last season, while arch rivals Barca have won all five of their games.

Under fire

Mourinho was sharply critical of his players after the two setbacks, accusing some of lacking focus, and he dropped Spain centre back Sergio Ramos for Tuesday’s European Champions League victory at home to Manchester City.

Ramos was back in the starting line-up on Monday and Real appear now to have turned a corner after flirting with crisis following last weekend’s surprise defeat in Seville.

“If we had played with a similar attitude against Getafe and Sevilla (as we had tonight) we would have won those games,” Mourinho told a news conference.

“It was a tough game, a difficult game and we had to be at the least at our best in terms of concentration and motivation and it seems that the team responded well in that sense,” added the Portuguese.

“Could we have played better? Yes, we could have played better even though our opponent pressured a lot and ran a lot and caused us problems.

“But my criticisms are always directed at my players’ attitude and whether they are committed to the game and today the team was a team.”

Monday’s match had been due to be played on Sunday night but was postponed because of alleged sabotage to the lighting at Rayo’s Vallecas stadium.