The visitors, playing in the top flight for the first time in their history this season, suffered a nightmare start on their trip to the Bernabeu as they fell behind in the first minute to a Ronaldo strike.

However, it was not until the final 15 minutes when Manuel Pellegrini's side finally managed to see off their plucky opponents, with Ronaldo, Guti, Karim Benzema and Ruud van Nistelrooy giving the scoreline a one-sided look which was harsh on Xerez.

Madrid lead Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, who also maintained their perfect starts to the season this weekend.

Athletic Bilbao finished a fine week with a 3-2 victory over Villarreal.

After despatching Austria Vienna is sumptuous fashion in the Europa League in midweek, Athletic's attacking prowess was on full show again as Fernando Llorente's first-half brace put them in control.

Ruben Cani got one back for the visitors in the second half, but Javi Martinez restored the hosts' two-goal cushion and Santi Cazorla's late strike gave Villarreal too little time to find an equaliser.

Gregory's late header spoiled David Villa's big day as 10-man Sporting Gijon ended Valencia's 100% start to the Primera Division season at the Mestalla.

David Barral stunned the hosts with a goal after seven minutes but former Sporting striker Villa levelled midway through the first half.

The 27-year-old, who declined to celebrate his strikes against his old club, scored a lovely second to seemingly set Valencia on their way TO the three points, but Gregory levelled four minutes from time after Miguel Moya's error.

Sporting's point was all the more remarkable as they played more than an hour a man down after Michel's red card.

Sisi struck the decisive goal to hand Real Valladolid a first win of the Primera Division season, 2-1 at Real Zaragoza.

Zaragoza drew level through Montana Jorge Lopez following a fourth-minute strike for Valladolid's Marquitos, but Sisi ensured the points went to Jose Luis Mendilibar's side with a 57th-minute strike.

Almeria scored their first goal of the season and registered a first win of the new campaign as they edged out Getafe by a single strike.

Michel Macedo bagged the only goal of an evenly-disputed encounter two minutes into the second half.