MADRID (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid made it three wins in three games with a 5-0 thrashing of bottom side Xerez in Spanish league action on Sunday.

There was no David versus Goliath scenario as the might of Real, with a budget of 400 million euros, crushed the newcomers who have the smallest budget in La Liga.

Ronaldo opened the scoring inside the first minute in the match played at the Bernabeu but Xerez held on until the final quarter when the Portuguese winger, Guti, Karim Benzema and Ruud van Nistelrooy all netted in quick succession.

It was a sweet return to action for van Nistelrooy, who was making his first competitive appearance since suffering a serious right knee injury last year.

The result saw Real move ahead of defending champions Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao on goal difference at the top of La Liga.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is a fantastic player who is really helping the team. He scored a brace tonight and I am happy for him," said Real defender Marcelo.

Van Nistelrooy later revealed that he had hurt his thigh in the match and would have a scan on Monday.

"I got hurt while scoring. I dreamed of this return. I will have an MRI tomorrow and hope it isn't anything serious," the Dutchman told www.realmadrid.com.

"I worked very hard to return and everything has gone well. Let's see how my quad is holding up. We aren't happy with the way we played, but it was a good match. We can improve a lot."

Real coach Manuel Pellegrini believes there is still room for improvement despite the convincing scoreline.

"We didn't play well as a team, especially in the first twenty minutes. Perhaps we were too confident after the first goal," said thwe coach.

"Xerez controlled the ball well. We improved in the second half with more midfielders on the pitch and the goals were the product."

Valencia lost their 100-percent record with a 2-2 draw at home against 10-men Sporting Gijon. David Villa was on target twice for Valencia.

Bilbao posted a 3-2 win over Villarreal, Spain striker Fernando Llorente grabbing a brace and Javi Martinez getting one, with Cani and Santi Cazorla netting for the visitors.

In other games, Michel fired Almeria to a 1-0 win over Getafe 1-0 while Real Zaragoza slumped to a 2-1 home defeat by Real Valladolid.

In Saturday's action, Argentine star Lionel Messi celebrated his new two-year contract extension with Barcelona by scoring twice in the European champions' 5-2 win over floundering Atletico Madrid.

New signing Alvaro Negredo scored his first goal for Sevilla in their 2-0 defeat of Osasuna, while Real Mallorca equalled their best ever start to a season with a convincing 4-0 win over promoted Tenerife.

Bottom side Espanyol managed their first win of the season, and their first goals, with a 3-2 away win at Deportivo la Coruna.