Barcelona surge goes on

By Andy Hall

A stunning Xavi Hernández volley four minutes from time helped FC Barcelona to a 2-1 win at Albacete Balompié and tightened their grip at the top of the Primera División while Athletic Club Bilbao defeated Club Atlético de Madrid in Saturday's other game.

Iniesta pokes in
Two minutes in at Albacete, Andrés Iniesta scored against his first club. The 20-year-old stole possession and poked the ball past Ronald Gaspercic. However, Barça's workrate tailed off in the second period and the home side were allowed to level on 72 minutes when Mark González rose to flick a header past Víctor Valdés from a Pacheco free-kick.

Late winner
But a late winner arrived for the visitors as a headed clearance went to Xavi, who smashed a swerving shot inside the post from outside the area. The win extends Barça's lead over Real Madrid CF and RCD Espanyol to 12 points ahead of Sunday's fixtures.

Rijkaard praise
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said: "We were made to suffer but I think we played some direct football with flashes of individual effort. After Albacete equalised, I was pleased that our players responded in the way they did to turn the score around - fortunately for us, Xavi struck a great goal."

Franco acrobatics
Meanwhile, Atlético remain sixth after their 1-0 loss in Bilbao. The Basque side created the clearest chances during the opening half and were denied an early opener when Atlético goalkeeper Leo Franco pulled off an incredible save, flinging himself backwards to scoop a Carlos Gurpegi effort off the line.

Del Horno connects
Athletic did take the lead on the stroke of half-time when Asier Del Horno connected with an Andoni Iraola cross at the far post. Atlético could not come back and Athletic climbed to eleventh place.