Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini is happy with Cristiano Ronaldo’s start to his career in Spain – even if his performances have yet to excite the fans in the Estadio Bernabeu.

After Ronaldo came off the subs’ bench to seal a 3-0 win away to Espanyol in La Liga, Pellegrini said: “I have been very impressed with Ronaldo's performances so far. It’s never easy to come into a new club in a different country with a very different style of football and respond to all the expectation.

"Every time he plays I can see he is better and better and I think he is very content with the way it’s going."

Esteban Granero beat goalkeeper Carlos Kameni to hand Madrid the lead just before the break, Guti made it 2-0 on an assist by the superb Kaka in the 77th minute and Ronaldo – on for Karim Benzema - wrapped up the victory in added time.

This was Espanyol’s first home league match since captain Dani Jarque collapsed and died last month and also their first competitive game in their new Cornella-El Prat stadium.

World, European and Spanish champions Barcelona scored their own second win in two games when record signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored one goal and created the other for substitute Lionel Messi in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Getafe.

Coach Pep Guardiola said: “Getafe fought for possession harder than any opposing team since I became coach. Winning here is never easy so these points are worth a lot."

Brazil striker Luis Fabiano scored twice in Sevilla's 4-1 win over Zaragoza but Atletico Madrid were held 1-1 at home by Santander who played almost all the second half with 10 men after Jose Angel Crespo was sent off.