22 January 2011
Champions Barcelona went seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish first division on Saturday as goals from Pedro Rodriguez, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta sealed a 3-0 home win over Racing Santander.
Barcelona had lost 3-1 to Real Betis in their midweek Kings Cup match – although they reached the semi-finals 6-3 on aggregate – but got off to the perfect start with Spanish winger Pedro netting his 11th league goal after just 90 seconds on Saturday.
Barcelona coasted to their 14th consecutive league win and maintained their flawless away record with a ninth win on the road.
Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid are now under pressure to close the gap back to four points when they host Real Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Barca went ahead after just 90 seconds against Racing with Messi playing a wall pass with David Villa before chipping goalwards for Pedro to chest the ball in from close range.
It was a nightmare start for Racing but the visitors almost equalised with Markus Rosenberg forcing a diving save from Victor Valdes on the quarter hour mark.
Villa, Adriano and captain Carles Puyol all missed good chances before Villa won a penalty on 33 minutes by tricking Brazilian defender Henrique, who is on loan at Racing from Barcelona, with some quick footwork.
Messi converted the spot-kick for his 19th league goal of the season as Barca went in 2-0 at the interval.
The hosts scored again on 56 minutes with Spain star Iniesta watching his deflected shot swerve in.
Earlier Brazilian international forward Luis Fabiano scored a hat-trick as Sevilla cruised to a 4-1 home win over Levante to boost their hopes of a top four finish and bolster confidence ahead of Wednesday’s Kings Cup semi-final against Real Madrid.
It capped a fine week for Sevilla, who defeated Villarreal in midweek to reach the semi-finals of the Kings Cup, although they are still eight points behind fourth-placed Valencia in the league.
Fabiano headed the opener on 27 minutes after a cross from Spanish international winger Jesus Navas, back from injury, before French defender Julien Escude headed in a corner in the 38th minute.
Levante conceded a penalty four minutes later when Javi Venta fouled Fernando Navarro and Fabiano smashed an unstoppable spot-kick into the bottom corner.
Xisco Munoz pulled a goal back for the visitors on 57 minutes with a fine left-footed strike, but Fabiano responded with his third goal 10 minutes later, showing quick feet before firing in from the edge of the penalty area.
In other matches, Valencia host Malaga later on Saturday and victory would take them above Villarreal into third.
2010 AFP
