Boom time for Barcelona

By Andy Hall

FC Barcelona consolidated their lead at the top of the Primera División with a slender 2-1 win at Getafe CF on Saturday night, while neighbours RCD Espanyol also picked up three points to move second in the standings.

Two-goal lead
Frank Rijkaard's side were under pressure for much of the first half at Getafe but took the lead through Rafael Márquez's superb free-kick which just crept inside the post after 18 minutes. Then Deco doubled the score within two minutes, firing low past Javier Sánchez Broto.

Gutsy Getafe
The home side responded well, with Riki Gabi Fernández and David Cubillo going close. Veteran Romanian striker Gheorge Craioveanu pulled a goal back on the hour but was later sent off for a foul on Deco. Barça therefore tightened their grip on the top of the table and pulled ten points clear of Real Madrid CF, who meet Levante UD tomorrow.

Espanyol enjoyment
Later on Saturday, Dani García scored twice to give Espanyol victory against Club Atlético de Madrid and move Barcelona's city rivals into second place, nine points behind the leaders. The first half produced few clear chances as the home side were kept in check by some solid defending, with Luis Perea producing a brilliant sliding tackle to deny Óscar Serrano.

Dani double
Espanyol's luck turned seven minutes into the second half when they were awarded a penalty after Sergi Barjuan clipped Maxi Rodríguez. Dani duly converted the resulting spot-kick, sending Leo Franco the wrong way. The lead last a matter of moments, however, Fernando Macedo's right-wing free-kick curling over goalkeeper Carlos Kameni and dropping under the crossbar. However, it was former Barcelona forward Dani who had the final say, striking the winner with 15 minutes left after the ball landed kindly for him.

Athletic stroll
Athletic Club Bilbao, meanwhile, won 3-0 at home to Real Racing Club Santander. Twenty-year-old reserve goalkeeper Roberto Pampín made his full league debut and kept a clean sheet, while at the other end Santiago Ezquerro opened the scoring on seven minutes with an excellent lob. Athletic were two in front shortly after when Carlos Gurpegi superbly headed in Fran Yeste's free-kick before Urzaiz latched on to an Andoni Iraloa cross on the hour and headed past Dudu Auote. The result moved Athletic into 12th place, pulling them level with their opponents on 15 points.