Real Madrid 3-0 Villarreal: First-half salvo from Benzema, Kaka and Di Maria torpedoes Yellow Submarine

A goal each from Karim Benzema, Kaka, and Angel di Maria proved enough for Real Madrid to defeat Villarreal 3-0 in Primera Division action at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

The damage was done inside the opening half-hour, as the hosts tore their struggling guests to shreds with a superb display of attacking style and substance.

Jose Mourinho's side came rapidly out of the blocks and quickly established a high tempo in the match. The ball was in the Villarreal net within three minutes, but Sergio Ramos' headed goal was rightfully judged to be offside.

It took just three minutes for the hosts to strike again, and this time it counted.

Di Maria found space on the halfway line and drove a glorious pass over the top of the Villarreal defense for Benzema, who took the ball down with his chest and cheekily clipped over the onrushing Diego Lopez.

Madrid struck again six minutes later. Benzema fed the ball into the feet of Kaka on the edge of the Villarreal box, and with his back to goal, the Brazilian swivelled round and drove into the bottom corner with his left foot.

Scott Olsen injuries prompt review as Occupy Oakland protests continue

An Iraq war veteran has a fractured skull and brain swelling after allegedly being hit by a police projectile.

Scott Olsen is in a "critical condition" in Highland hospital in Oakland, a hospital spokesman confirmed.

Olsen, 24, suffered the head injury during protests in Oakland on Tuesday evening. More than 15 people were arrested after a crowd gathered to demonstrate against the police operation to clear two Occupy Oakland camps in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Jay Finneburgh, a photographer who was covering the protest, published pictures of Olsen lying on the ground.

"This poor guy was right behind me when he was hit in the head with a police projectile. He went down hard and did not get up," Finneburgh wrote.Oakland's independent police review body will examine the clashes between riot officers and protesters that left an Iraq war veteran in a critical condition as Occupy protestors prepare to rally at the same spot for a third night of protests.

Police battled protesters following an Occupy Oakland march to demonstrate against the closing of two occupations in the city in the early hours of Tuesday morning. More than 100 people have been arrested in Oakland since police cleared a camp in Frank Ogawa plaza.

Scott Olsen, 24, suffered a fractured skull and brain swelling after he was allegedly hit in the head by a police projectile during the clashes on Tuesday. A spokesperson for Highland hospital in east Oakland confirmed he was critically ill after being admitted on Tuesday night.

Stoke City 1-2 Liverpool: Carling Cup Highlights (Video)

Luis Suarez scored twice as Liverpool came from behind to progress to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup at the expense of Stoke City this evening.

Hosts Stoke took a 1-0 advantage heading into the break courtesy of Kenwyne Jones, who headed in Jonathan Walters cross after the Irishman caught Sebastian Coates in possession.

Suarez's first goal of the night came nine minutes after the restart. The Uruguayan took the ball past Ryan Shotton before curling the ball into the top corner beyond the reach of Thomas Sorenson in goal. Luis Suárez answered some of his critics with

the two goals that took Liverpool into the Carling Cup quarter-finals. A goal down at the interval, the visitors were indebted to their Uruguayan striker for masterminding their recovery almost single-handedly, dispelling in the process the myth that he does not convert enough chances to be regarded a clinical finisher. He missed a few chances here too but there was nothing wrong with the two goals that he claimed. Liverpool made eight changes from the draw with Norwich at the weekend but kept faith with Suárez,