Cristiano Ronaldo scored before being sent off as Real Madrid
bounced back from last weekend's defeat to Barcelona to beat Almeria
4-2 in an incident-packed match.
Ronaldo, starting his first home match in over two months due to
his ankle injury, also created a goal and missed a penalty as Madrid
made hard work of seeing off lowly Almeria.
There appeared little sign of the drama to come as Manuel Pellegrini's
men ended an impressive first-half display 1-0 up thanks to Sergio
Ramos' header.
But Almeria, who did not have a shot in anger in the opening period,
stunned their hosts with two goals in three minutes from Fernando
Soriano and Kalu Uche to lead 2-1.
That sparked the home side into action, and Madrid responded with
goals from Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema - who netted after Ronaldo's
penalty had been saved - and then Ronaldo in the final 17 minutes.
The former Manchester United man was booked for taking his shirt
off to celebrate that goal, and that proved costly as four minutes
later he was handed his marching orders after picking up a second
yellow following a tussle with Michel.
His dismissal did not cost Madrid dear in this match though as
they held on to make it seven home wins from seven and keep the
pressure up on leaders Barca.
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