Eto'o leads Barcelona revival

FC Barcelona closed the gap on Primera División leaders Real Madrid CF to four points as they cruised to a 4-0 win at home to Real Murcia CF with goals from Eidur Gudjohnsen, Bojan Krkić and a double from Samuel Eto'o.

Gudjohnsen opener
Barcelona went into the new year seven points behind their arch rivals but started their revival last weekend with a 2-0 win at RCD Mallorca. With the champions not in action until tomorrow's game at bottom side Levante UD, Frank Rijkaard's side ensured they exerted some pressure with a comfortable victory at Camp Nou. The hosts had to wait 27 minutes to get their noses in front but did so when a cross from Gianluca Zambrotta was volleyed in by Gudjohnsen. Murcia came close to levelling four minutes after the restart when Fernando Baiano burst through the centre of the Barcelona defence only for Víctor Valdés to save his low effort.

Vintage Henry
Thierry Henry nearly doubled the home side's lead but made amends on 52 minutes though as he strode to the byline and fired a cross into the six-metre box where Bojan was on hand to pounce. Henry continued to torment the visiting defence and provided the third goal as well, sweeping in a cross that Eto'o volleyed in. The same player completed the scoring by flicking a late shot past Antonio Notario after good work from Giovani Dos Santos.

Sevilla suffer
In the night's other game, Athletic Club Bilbao were 2-0 winners at home to Sevilla FC. Francisco Yeste (28) lifted a finish past goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis to give the hosts the lead. The visitors' cause became trickier when Julien Escudé was sent off eight minutes after the break and Athletic secured the win when Markel Susaeta (68) scored after a goalmouth scramble.