Zidane goal silences Real critics

There was a huge sigh of relief at the Bernebeu on Saturday night as Zinedine Zidane scored his first goal for Real Madrid in their 5-1 drubbing of Espanyol. Barcelona, meanwhile, beat Tenerife after a late goal from Javier Saviola.

Zinedine Zidane finally scored his first goal in a competitive game for Real Madrid after several weeks of frustration. Real have struggled in the league – with Zidane – but played well in Europe, without Zidane due to a suspension.

There was even talk of Zidane starting Saturday night's game against Espanyol on the bench – but the Frenchman answered the critics five minutes into the game as he took advantage of a Raul lay-off following a long Roberto Carlos ball to strike home left of Argenso.

And this was only the start as Real finally gelled in the league. Roberto Carlos then scored from 35 metres before Luis Figo made it 3-0 before half-time.

Enrique De Lucas pulled a goal back for the visitors just after the break but Raul and Steve McManaman, who started for the Spanish champions, completed the rout.

Barcelona, too, won at home on Saturday night – but in less spectacular fashion. Tenerife were defeated 2-0 after goals from South American summer signings Geovanni and Javier Saviola.

Jose Emilio Amavisca scored twice to put Deportivo La Coruna firmly in the driving seat against Alaves but the home side hit back through Carlos Llorens and Fabricio Coloccini.

However, it was all in vain as Depor's Sergio Gonzalez scored the winner for in the 87th minute, leaving no time for Jose Manuel Esnal's side to hit back.

Villareal's Martin Palermo scored the only goal of the game in the 85th minute as his side overcame John Toshack's struggling Real Sociedad.

Las Palmas and Malaga drew 0-0.