VIDEO: Cristiano Ronaldo nails a swivelled left-footed half-volley top corner screamer

Cristiano Ronaldo has staked an early claim in the annual Messi v Ronaldo award ceremony and, by God, this will make highlights reels aplenty when his career has finished.

Whilst Manchester United and Liverpool played out a politely drab affair at Anfield, Real Madrid took just 18 minutes to run through Sporting Gijon for a shortcut as they raced into a 4-0 lead in frighteningly quick time. Ronaldo bagged two along with Bale and Benzema but it was the Portuguese man's first that really stole the headlines. Played a bouncing ball from his French strike partner, Ronaldo lines it up, turns and lets fly straight into the top corner in absolutely beautiful fashion.