Depor hit back to stifle Barça

Depor hit back to stifle Barça RC.Deportivo La Coruña battled back from a goal down to earn a point against FC Barcelona at the Riazor on Saturday as the European champions again struggled to find their rhythm. Puyol out Barcelona were without captain Carles Puyol who missed the match following the death of his father, but they went ahead from the penalty spot six minutes before half-time after Delgado Juanma had clattered into Saviola just inside the area. Ronaldinho stepped up to slide home his sixth league goal of the season as the Catalan club looked to put the disappointment of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League draw against Chelsea FC behind them. Barcelona had controlled play for long stretches without creating many clear chances, but the goal seemed to spark them to life and Deco was unfortunate to see a low drive skim past the post three minutes before the break. Rodríguez leveler Deportivo showed great spirit in the second half to take the game to Barcelona and earned their reward 17 minutes from time when Juan Verdú was brought down by Edmilson inside the area. Víctor Valdés dove low to his left to save Fabián Estoyanov's penalty but Juan Rodríguez was first to the rebound and he fired the ball back beyond the goalkeeper who got a hand to the shot but could not keep it out. Barça stay top on 20 points, but could be overtaken on Sunday by Sevilla FC who host CA Osasuna while Real Madrid CF, in third, will look to make up ground against RC Celta de Vigo. Sociedad defeat Also on Saturday Levante UD ended a run of four games without a win when they overcame bottom side Real Sociedad de Fútbol 2-0. Cameroon striker Albert Meyong Ze scored his first league goal for Levante from a corner just before the break then three minutes from time Damiano Tomassi crossed for Laurent Courtois to volley in. Sociedad remain rooted to the foot of the table without a win this season. Misfiring Club Atlético de Madrid failed to score for the fourth match in succession but still picked up a point in a goalless draw away to RCD Mallorca. ©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.