Kaka inspires Real Madrid to 3-0 victory over Espanyol

Real Madrid kept pace with Barcelona at the top of the Spanish league table with Brazilian playmaker Kaka pulling the strings in a 3-0 win at Espanyol last night.

Kaka has yet to open his Real account since joining from Milan, but showed a touch of class to set Esteban Granero up for his first Real goal and create the second for stand-in captain Guti.

Substitute Cristiano Ronaldo added a third in the final minute for his second goal in as many games.

It was Espanyol's first competitive game at their new Cornella-El Prat stadium and Real had some worrying moments before their class shone through to make it a maximum six points.

Granero struck the 40th minute opener after a clever wall pass with Kaka.

Kaka then turned the defence inside out and provided a pinpoint pass for Guti to ram home on 77 minutes before Ronaldo netted in the closing stages.

The victory means there is the familiar top two of Barcelona and Real at the summit after Barcelona won 2-0 at Getafe yesterday.

Barca are top on goal difference.

Barca's record signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic made it two goals in two games following up his debut strike with a vital opener on 65th minutes before substitute Lionel Messi grabbed a second.

The goals are a real boost for Ibrahimovic as he bids to justify his 69 million euro transfer fee and the Swede can now look forward to facing old club Inter in Wednesday's Champions League match at the San Siro.

Results: Getafe vs Barcelona 0-2; A. Madrid vs Santander 1-1; Espanyol vs Real Madrid 0-3.