Eto'o edges Barça to victory

By Andy Hall

FC Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o made amends for a missed penalty with a late winner against ten-man Real Sociedad de Fútbol on a day when second-placed Real Madrid CF's revival under Vanderlei Luxemburgo continued.

Eto'o winner
Barça were awarded a penalty in the third minute when Luiz Alberto tripped Andrés Iniesta but Eto'o's low effort came back off the post. Frank Rijkaard's men looked a shadow of the team whose lead was, at one stage, into double figures and there were few signs of improvement at the Camp Nou. Even the dismissal of Real's Xabier Prieto on 65 minutes did little to change the tone until Eto'o's 80th-minute header settled the match.

Madrid victory
Madrid were forced to come from behind against Real Zaragoza after David Villa struck a superb opening goal. Raúl González equalised just before half-time and Ronaldo put the home side ahead on 53 minutes, seconds after Álvaro Maior had been sent off for Zaragoza. Michael Owen began the game on the bench alongside new signing Thomas Gravesen and entered the fray with the Danish midfield player on 65 minutes before making it 3-1 with five minutes remaining.

Valencia third
The result leaves Madrid second, seven points adrift of Barça but two ahead of Valencia CF after the Primera División champions were held to a goalless draw by CA Osasuna in a game overshadowed by the death of Marco Caneira's eight-month-old daughter. RCD Espanyol are fourth after drawing 1-1 at Athletic Club Bilbao, Francisco Yeste's third-minute opener being cancelled out half an hour later by Maxi Rodríguez.

Two for Edu
A goal in each half from Edu gave Real Betis Balompié a 2-0 win against RCD Mallorca to move into sixth place, while RC Deportivo La Coruña were held to a 1-1 draw by CD Numancia in a vibrant game at the Riazor. Walter Pandiani put the Galician side ahead on 75 minutes but Carlos Merino levelled four minutes later.

In-form Forlán
Diego Forlán followed up last week's goals against Barça with another two against Levante UD to take his tally to eleven. Antonio Guayre and Marco Senna were also on target as Villarreal won 4-2 to climb up to seventh. Real Racing Club de Santander's trip to Albacete Balompié ended goalless.