Real Madrid rely on 'intensity' to secure comeback win and extend perfect start to La Liga

Carlo Ancelotti praised Real Madrid's "commitment and intensity" after his side fought back to defeat Real Sociedad 2-1 to extend their perfect start and climb back to the top of La Liga.

Propelled by the electric Takefusa Kubo, Sociedad took an early lead through Ander Barrenetxea, but Madrid hit back with goals from Fede Valverde and Joselu to earn their fifth win from five games.

England international Jude Bellingham was unable to continue his excellent goalscoring form, after netting five goals in his first four Madrid matches, but remains the division's top goalscorer.

After Barcelona put five past Real Betis in a flashy display on Saturday the onus was on Madrid to maintain their 100 per cent record and they did, against the tricky Basque visitors, to sit two points clear of their rivals in the table.

"We started by letting in a goal and the good thing is that we were capable of turning it around – the bad thing is that we have to avoid that," said Ancelotti, who will now prepare his side for Wednesday's Champions League opener against Union Berlin at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"We did it thanks to the commitment, energy and will of the team, we have an intensity that opponents find hard to cope with for 90 minutes."

Sociedad went ahead at the new-look Bernabeu after only five minutes, when Kubo stroked a fine pass into Barrenetxea's path.

On-loan goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga kept out his first effort with a fine save but could not claw out the second.

Kubo then beat the goalkeeper with a brilliant strike but it was disallowed for offside.

Valverde slammed Real Madrid level less than a minute into the second half, lashing Fran Garcia's cut-back in off the post from outside the area.

The left-back created the second