ACTUALITE |
16.12.2007
Eto`o leads Barca win over Valencia
Samuel Eto`o scored two goals as Barcelona secured only their second away win of the season in a 3-0 victory over Valencia in the Primera Liga.
The home side had no answer to the Cameroon striker`s pace and power as he netted twice in the first half, proving he has fully recovered from the surgery that has kept him sidelined for the first three months of the season.
Eidur Gudjohnsen added the third in the second half in what was Valencia`s sixth match in all competitions without a goal.
"It`s clear Samuel was very important for us today. We have to congratulate him as he has performed to a very high standard," Frank Rijkaard, Barcelona coach said.
Second-placed Barca moved to 34 points, one behind leaders Real Madrid who host Osasuna at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
Rijkaard left star playmaker Ronaldinho on the bench and the Brazilian was able to watch his team mates tear into Valencia from the opening minute.
The Catalans were rewarded with an early breakthrough when Eto`o received Lionel Messi`s pass in the 13th minute before going past two defenders in the area and striking a left-foot shot inside the far post for his first league goal of the season.
The visitors continued to dominate and a swift passing move involving Xavi and Messi in the 27th minute saw the ball fall to Eto`o again, and he left Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares motionless with a quick right-foot shot.
Messi injury worry
Just before the break Messi limped off with a torn left thigh muscle which may keep him out of the top-of-the-table clash against arch-rivals Real next weekend.
Valencia, who were without injured striker David Villa, had already lost top scorer Fernando Morientes to injury by then.
In the second half Barca substitute Giovani dos Santos crossed for Iceland striker Gudjohnsen to stroke home the third in the 62nd minute and it was only poor finishing and the saves of Canizares that prevented the visitors adding to the score.
Earlier, Espanyol climbed to fourth with an uninspiring 1-0 home victory over bottom-placed club Levante.
Defender Daniel Jarque stabbed the ball home from close range after nine minutes as last season`s Uefa Cup finalists stretched their unbeaten run to 12 matches.
Espanyol joined third-placed Atletico Madrid on 30 points, with Atletico visiting Recreativo Huelva also on Sunday.
http://english.aljazeera.net/
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