Dani Ceballos scored twice on his full debut as Real Madrid bounced back from a shock midweek defeat to Real Betis with a 2-1 triumph at Alaves.
Ceballos was one of three changes made to the side that lost to Betis by Zinedine Zidane as Luka Modric and Gareth Bale were left on the bench ahead of Tuesday's Uefa Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund.
And the Spanish Under 21 international settled Madrid's nerves after just 10 minutes as he caught Fernando Pacheco flat-footed by pulling the ball inside the goalkeeper's near post from the edge of the area.
Alaves caretaker coach Javier Cabello had denied Enzo Zidane the chance to face his father Zinedine and former club as he was left out the Alaves squad.
However, Cabello did manage to inspire a more spirited display from the hosts despite a sixth straight defeat as they scored their first goal of the season five minutes before half-time.
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Alaves captain Manu Garcia met Munir El Haddadi's cross flush to power a header into the top corner.
Madrid retook just three minutes later, though, as Ceballos pounced on a poor punch from Pacheco to fire into the bottom corner.
Real should have ensured a far more comfortable afternoon after the break as Pacheco made a great save to deny Isco, Cristiano Ronaldo struck the woodwork twice and Sergio Ramos blazed over with the goal at his mercy.
📸 Victory in Vitoria!#RMLiga pic.twitter.com/H8NFKNXkDt
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) September 23, 2017
Yet, Alaves could also have snatched a first point of the season as Alfonso Pedraza's deflected effort hit the bar before Pedraza struck the post when clean through on goal.
The result leaves Real four points adrift to Barcelona, who can stretch that back up to seven points when they go up against Girona later on Saturday.
