During the opening 45 minutes, when Rayo had Madrid on the back foot for long spells, it was James who looked the biggest threat for his side. He also lead the charge after the break -- kicking things off with a superb cross, which was headed just wide by Gareth Bale moments after the restart.
Next came another 20-yard drive which flew just on the wrong side of the post. Ronaldo then got the opener, finishing off a move begun deep in midfield by the Colombian. Soon afterwards it was James himself who made the points safe with an unerring drive from the edge of the box.
A huge debate has arisen over which of Carlo Ancelotti's talented and expensive attacking stars should miss out when everyone's fit and available. Many fans and pundits would leave out Bale, while Ancelotti himself tends to bench Isco. But nobody seriously thinks James -- 13 goals and 13 assists already in a first, injury-hit season in Spain -- does not merit a place in the XI.
