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BARCELONA, Spain -- Cristiano Ronaldo scored a double and set up another goal for Real Madrid in a 4-1 comeback win over Getafe on Sunday in the Spanish league, as new teammate Gareth Bale couldnt make his home debut after injuring his leg before the match. Bale was dropped from Madrids starting lineup minutes before the match after the clubs medical staff examined his left thigh during warm-ups at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The club said it was for "precaution" and that he would undergo tests Monday. Things only got worse for Madrids disappointed fans when Getafe forward Angel Lafita opened the scoring in the fifth minute. But Pepe scored from a rebound in the 19th before Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 33rd, set up Francisco "Isco" Alarcon in the 59th, and added another goal in injury time after Getafe had been reduced to 10 men. "Overall we played a good game. We were unlucky to start a goal behind, but I think our reaction was good," said Madrids first-year Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti. "Sometimes we play too far back in defence, but piano piano we are improving." Madrid remained undefeated through five rounds and is in third place in the standings, two points behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Villarreal also stayed unbeaten in its return to Spains top flight after drawing 0-0 at Celta Vigo. The same lack of finishing touch condemned Real Betis to a 0-0 finish against visiting Granada, leaving both teams with one win. Valencia enjoyed a much-needed 3-1 victory at home over Sevilla, breaking a four-game losing streak that included a 3-0 defeat to Swansea in the Europa League on Thursday. Brazilian forward Jonas scored twice for Valencia, netting in the 32nd and then again in the 73rd after Kevin Gameiro had levelled for Sevilla in the 52nd. Substitute Victor Ruiz headed in Valencias last goal in the 82nd and sparked the same Mestalla crowd that had protested after the Swansea loss into chants of "Yes! Thats the way!" Valencia president Amadeo Salva said after the match that new coach Miroslav Djukic will finish out the season "no matter what happens." The result left Unai Emerys Sevilla winless and in last place. Ronaldos 208th and 209th career goals for Madrid in 205 games moved him ahead of Hugo Sanchez as the clubs fifth all-time leading scorer. Raul Gonzalez holds the record with 323 goals. Ronaldo has scored seven goals in his last four games in all competitions for Madrid. If losing Bale for what was supposed to be his highly-anticipated first game in front of Madrids fans wasnt a big enough blow, Carlo Ancelottis side soon fell behind to their modest crosstown rivals. After Ronaldo had squandered back-to-back scoring chances, the Portugal forward lost the ball and Getafe struck when Lafitas resulting shot took a deflection off Pepe before landing in the net. But Ronaldo helped Madrid level when he drew a save from goalkeeper Miguel Moya, with the rebound falling for Pepe to tap in. Ronaldo put Madrid in front by driving a low spot kick just inside the post after Getafes Miguel "Michel" Marcos blocked his free kick with his arm inside the area. Ronaldos quickly taken free kick left Isco alone in the area to curl in his fourth goal in the league play. "It didnt matter that Bale wasnt there, Isco took his place," said Getafe coach Luis Garcia. "All their players are good. With Madrid you cant talk about them missing players." Getafe played the final five minutes with 10 men after Michel was sent off with a direct red card for fouling Jese Rodriguez with only Moya to beat. Ronaldo, who had clipped the post in the 79th, got his well-earned brace when he used a brazen back-heeled shot with his right boot to redirect Sami Khediras cross into the net. Madrid paid Tottenham a world-record 100 million euros ($132 million) for Bale at the close of the summer transfer market. Ancelotti said Bales injury didnt appear to be serious. "(Bale) wasnt comfortable or calm. I preferred to prevent any problems," said Ancelotti. "He isnt happy because he was very excited to play in the Bernabeu." The next chance Madrids fans will have to see Bale at home will be next Saturday against Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital derby. NEW YORK -- J.R. Smith left Anthony Bennett standing still and Tristan Thompson on his backside. The New York Knicks didnt just beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, they embarrassed them. Carmelo Anthony and rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. each scored 29 points, Smith had 19, and the Knicks won 117-86 Thursday night for their fourth straight victory. The Knicks wrapped up a 10-6 January after going just 9-21 through the end of December. They have rebounded from losing the first three games on their franchise record-tying, eight-game homestand and can finish it with a winning record if they beat Miami on Saturday night. "It is starting to feel a lot better here on our home court to win basketball games," Anthony said. "Were just trying to keep it going." Anthony scored 18 in the first quarter, only two off his total from his franchise-record, 62-point game Friday night. But he sat nearly half of the second quarter to fall well off the pace, as he had 37 points at halftime that night. He still scored enough to become the 50th player in NBA history to surpass 19,000 points. Hardaway had a career high in points and tied the Knicks rookie record with six 3-pointers. "I knew that if I could shoot the ball very, very well at the next level, then I should be able to help the team out," he said. But the dazzling plays were provided by Smith, who had to keep himself from laughing when he crossed over Thompson so bad that the forward fell down as Smith was making a jumper. Smith was starting for Iman Shumpert, who was out with a sprained right shoulder. The Knicks were also missing Andrea Bargnani (left elbow ligament), Kenyon Martin (sprained left ankle) and Amare Stoudemire (sprained left ankle), who are all starters or key reserves. Even without them, they cruised to their third easy victory during their winning streak. "These are the bright spots you want to have, especially playing at home," Smith said. "Youve got your teammates on the bench going crazy, guys on the court are excited and love to play the game and theres nothing better than that." Kyrie Irving scored 24 points for the Cavs on a day in which his long-term commitment to Cleveland was again questioneed.dddddddddddd "Theres just so much negative attention. I mean I know were struggling, but I mean its just not about me. Its about our team," Irving said. Bennett, the No. 1 overall pick, was coming off a season-best 15 points in his last outing. But this one was another of the forgettable performances that have made up his season: four points on 1-of-6 shooting. He came in a little more than 4 minutes into the game, and the Knicks immediately began attacking him. Smith had the ball in the corner and blew by him along the baseline before pulling the ball down while in the air and then pulling it back up before slamming it in. Anthony had the ball near the free throw line on the next possession, easily went by the rookie and laid it in to make it 26-9. The Knicks doubled the Cavs up at 58-29 when Anthony made two free throws with 4:23 remaining in the half, and New York led 60-36 at halftime. The Cavaliers have lost three straight and five of six. General manager Chris Grant said Wednesday that the Cavs "lack of effort is just not acceptable," but they were so bad so fast in this one that it was hard to tell if the effort was any better. But the bigger concern for Cavs fans may have come earlier in the day, when an ESPN.com writer wrote that Irving, the 2011 No. 1 pick, was already telling people privately that he wanted out of Cleveland. He said it was too early to say if he would sign an extension this summer, but said he enjoyed playing for the Cavaliers. "Im still in my rookie contract and Im happy to be here and Im pretty sure that Im going to be here for a long time," Irving said. "Im not saying anything to foretell the future, but Im pretty sure the relationship I have with (owner) Dan Gilbert and management extends off the court and I enjoy being here." Dion Waiters had 21 points for the Cavs, who played without Anderson Varejao (bruised left knee) and allowed the Knicks to shoot 57 per cent from the field. NOTES: The crowd included Denver Broncos defensive back Champ Bailey and NBA Commissioner David Stern, who is retiring Saturday. The Knicks honoured Stern with a video narrated by former Knicks star Bill Bradley, a member of both of New Yorks championship teams. Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' '
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