Soccer: US midfielder helps Roma set up record start

Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli celebrates with team-mates after scoring the second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Torino FC at Stadio San Paolo. Photo / Getty Images

United States midfielder Michael Bradley scored late to help 10-man Roma beat Udinese 1-0 and set a Serie A record by winning their first nine matches of the season.

Bradley came on as a substitute and broke the deadlock with his first touch of the match eight minutes from full time to keep Roma five points clear of Napoli and Juventus.

Roma played the final 24 minutes with 10 men after Maicon was sent off for a second yellow card.

Juventus recorded eight opening victories in 1930-31 and 1985-86, and also won nine straight matches to start 2005-06 but was stripped of its title-winning season in the "calciopoli" match-fixing scandal.

"At the end it was three deserved points, we really gave everything," Bradley said. "This is a team which has great desire and determination."

Elsewhere, Gonzalo Higuain converted two controversial penalties to help Napoli beat 10-man Torino 2-0, while Juventus beat Genoa by the same scoreline.

Promising teenager Oliver Torres scored 13 seconds into his first start for Atletico Madrid yesterday before veteran David Villa added a brace in their 5-0 rout of Real Betis, keeping the team pegged one point behind Spanish leaders Barcelona.

Oliver connected with a squared ball from Jorge "Koke" Resurreccion that took a deflection off Betis defender Jordi Figueras before falling for him to fire home just moments after the opening whistle at Vicente Calderon Stadium.

It was an ideal start for the 18-year-old midfielder.

"It was a dream come true when I got up this morning knowing that I would make my first start," Oliver said. "And to begin with a goal, that gave me more confidence."

Oliver is considered one of the league's most gifted up-and-coming players for his playmaking abilities. He debuted for Atletico in 2012, the same year he helped Spain's under-19 team win the European championships.

"That kid has a great future ahead of him," Villa said of Oliver. "All of us love him. He doesn't have to rush. Our fans will be able to enjoy him for years and years to come. He just needs to be patient."

The 31-year-old Villa, Spain's all-time leading scorer, ended his month-long scoring drought..

Mexico forward Giovani Dos Santos scored two goals and set up the opener as Villarreal rolled past Valencia 4-1.

Real Sociedad took out some of the frustration from its loss at Manchester United in the Champions League this week by beating up on last-place Almeria 3-0.

Sevilla edged 10-man Osasuna 2-1 for a third win.

- AP