ACTUALITE |
08.11.2004
Eto`s 9th give Barcelona a 9 point lead
Associated Press
MADRID (AP) - Cameroon striker Samuel Eto`o scored his ninth goal of the season Saturday and FC Barcelona rallied to beat Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 to stretch its lead at the top of the Spanish league standings to nine points.
Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez also scored to earn Frank Rijkaard`s unbeaten team its eighth win in 10 games and maintain its perfect record at the Camp Nou this season.
Barcelona`s victory equalled its best start to the season, achieved in 1996-97 when Bobby Robson was in charge.
``It was a good result for us. And it was deserved too, I think,`` Rijkaard said. ``Generally, the team battled hard and its attitude was correct.``
Barcelona has 26 points, well ahead of second-place Sevilla with 17. Real Madrid, Zaragoza and Levante all have 16, while Deportivo stays 10th with 13 points.
On Sunday, it`s: Sevilla versus Mallorca; Malaga versus Real Madrid; Atletico Madrid versus Zaragoza; Levante versus Athletic de Bilbao; Getafe versus Valencia; Villarreal versus Osasuna; Real Sociedad versus Espanyol; and Racing Santander versus Numancia.
Barcelona and Deportivo came into the match after contrasting experiences in the Champions League. Barcelona was in high spirits after gaining a last-gasp win over AC Milan, while Deportivo was in the doldrums due to its home defeat against Liverpool.
On Saturday, Deportivo took the lead in the seventh minute when former Spain forward Pedro Munitis charged down the right wing and crossed for Fran Gonzalez to score with a powerful half-volley.
The home team drew level in the 23rd courtesy of Mexican midfielder Rafael Marquez`s swiftly taken free kick to Juliano Belletti. The Brazilian right back raced to the goalline and passed to Xavi, who made no mistake from close to the penalty spot.
Barcelona moved ahead 12 minutes later when France forward Ludovic Giuly`s pass from the right eluded goalkeeper Jose Francisco Molina and presented Eto`o with the simple task of walking the ball into the net.
The Cameroon striker`s nine-goal tally is three goals more than his closest rival, Zaragoza`s David Villa. Eto`o has scored in his last four games - three in the league and one in the Champions League.
Marquez hit the post in the 85th minute as Barcelona dominated the second half. Deportivo, which had won three of its previous four visits to the Camp Nou, was kept at bay even though home goalkeeper Victor Valdes gave an unusually nervous display.
Barcelona, which already has Edmilson, Thiago Motta and Gabri Garcia sidelined until the spring, lost Belletti just before time with what appeared to be a serious left ankle injury.
Barcelona said Belletti had suffered a ligament strain and would undergo further tests Sunday.
Albacete`s Antonio Pacheco came closest to breaking the deadlock in his team`s tedious encounter with Betis.
The Uruguayan striker rattled the bar with a 57th-minute free kick and had a fierce shot acrobatically saved by goalkeeper Antonio Doblas 20 minutes later.
Albacete moved up to 16th with 10 points, while Betis rose to 12th with 12 points.
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