Three points: Real Madrid easily take care of business vs. Levante

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 15th goal in only the eighth game of the season, a new Liga record. VALENCIA, Spain -- Three things we learned from Real Madrid's straightforward 5-0 victory at Levante's Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Saturday afternoon's La Liga meeting.1. Madrid warm up nicely for big week
This was billed as a possible banana skin for Madrid, who were heading to Levante straight after the international break, in a stadium where they had just two -- very narrow -- wins in their last five visits.
But instead it was a stroll in the Valencian sunshine, with the three points all but sealed inside the first 38 minutes, through Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty and Javier Hernandez's neat, close-range header. In recent seasons, Levante have built a reputation as a tough, well-organised side, but this season's team are anything but -- and if not for home keeper Diego Marino, the final score would have been even worse for Los Granotas.Carlo Ancelotti's side never really had to leave second gear. Into the second half, Ronaldo cut past two weak challenges before hammering in his 15th goal of the La Liga season -- in just the eighth week, another record. James Rodriguez got the reward for an excellent display on the right-wing, running onto Toni Kroos' chipped pass to control on his chest and volley in the fourth. Isco's fifth goal was the game's best -- a nonchalantly placed shot to the top corner after he'd been allowed to advance to the edge of the area.

The final scoreline means Carlo Ancelotti's side have now won their last seven games in all competitions, scoring 32 goals and conceding five. Ancelotti has put the early season losses to Atletico Madrid in La Liga and the Spanish Supercopa down to a lack of proper preparation in preseason.
The next seven days -- in which Madrid face Liverpool at Anfield and then Barcelona at the Bernabeu in the first 'clasico' of the season -- will tell if they are now ready for the biggest tests.
2. Chicharito stakes his claim

Since arriving on loan from Manchester United last summer, Hernandez's La Liga outings for Madrid so far had been limited to cameos from the bench. But with the usual No. 9, Benzema, feeling ill, the Mexico international got his first La Liga start and had a very impressive game.
Chicharito was by far the first half's most influential player. He was much too quick for his marker Juanfran in winning the early penalty, and much too elusive for entire Levante defence in ghosting into space to nod in the second goal. He almost had another, too, even before the break, again arriving with perfect timing but diverting another James cross just wide.

This performance was not just about penalty box work, though. Hernandez worked across the front line, providing a wicked right-wing cross early on, which should really have been finished by either James or Ronaldo.

Javier Hernandez replaced the unell Karim Benzema and made a case of why he should start for Los Blancos.

There was also plenty of effort when Levante had the ball, even coming back into his own half to look to disrupt home attacks. This is not something often seen from Benzema, or Gareth Bale, with both players' lackluster body language in lower-profile games having often brought criticism from Madrid fans and pundits.
The Frenchman's intelligent movement and awareness, and particularly his ability to help bring the best out of Ronaldo, means he's likely to remain Ancelotti's first choice for the foreseeable future. Bale, rested here, is also sure to be back in the XI at Anfield on Wednesday.
Chicharito's role for the moment looks likely to be that of first reserve, which really shows just the luxury of attacking riches available to Ancelotti right now.
3. Casillas comes through
While Madrid's attackers were drawing plenty of attention up front, there was also a few wary glances back at Blancos goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who came into the game after his latest awkward spell.
The recent international break began with Casillas' much-commented-upon TV interview, in which he appeared to criticise club president Florentino Perez. Then came his latest high-profile error in Spain's 2-1 Euro 2016 qualifier loss in Slovakia. And finally a place on the bench as Manchester United's David De Gea took another step forward in what coach Vicente Del Bosque is calling a 'transition' in the La Roja goalkeeping position.

Ancelotti was keen before the game to say he had no such thoughts of rotating his keepers, and 10 million euro summer signing Keylor Navas was again on the bench here even though his team was facing his former club. Casillas had a relatively quiet afternoon, given the one-sided nature of the game, being called upon most noticeably to deal with set-pieces. There was one confidence building come and claim of a corner, but that was quickly followed by another less-impressive attempt to punch the next one clear.

Madrid's continuing problems defending set-pieces was actually the only (small) worrying point from this game. Luka Modric had to look sharp to clear from the line after young Levante midfielder Victor Camarasa rose practically unchallenged to head a corner goalward at 1-0 in the first half. Ancelotti and Casillas himself have both been clear that this is a collective issue, and that attackers including Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Benzema have jobs to do here.

That collective concentration will likely be tested at Anfield on Wednesday by Steven Gerrard's deliveries. Casillas kept another clean sheet here, but he is not out of the woods yet.

Espain 02:46