Barça dig deep to see off Depor

Barça dig deep to see off Depor

FC Barcelona cut Real Madrid CF's lead at the top of the Primera División back to four points by beating RC Deportivo La Coruña tonight, while Atlético de Madrid moved into second with a 1-0 defeat of neighbours Getafe CF.
Eto'o back

Barça welcomed Samuel Eto'o back from injury and he featured in his first match since the opening day alongside Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, who started after two games on the substitutes' bench. For all of Barcelona's attacking talent, it was lowly Deportivo who struck first, Cristian Hidalgo beating Víctor Valdés with a third-minute shot from distance. Barcelona, though far from fluent, went into the break on level terms when Ronaldinho swept in a penalty late in the first half after Hidalgo had brought down Andrés Iniesta. Barcelona forced the winner 19 minutes from time, Xavi Hernández tapping in after Munúa had failed to hold Carles Puyol's low cross.
Forlan winner

Diego Forlán's 20th-minute strike was the only goal as Atlético went second by beating visitors Getafe but the win was overshadowed by the dismissal of two players from each side in the space of 12 minutes midway through the second half. Atlético striker Aguëro was first to go for a second yellow, closely followed by Getafe defender Lucas Licht. Visiting goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri was dismissed for handball outside the area before Atlético winger José Antonio Reyes was shown a straight red for a wild tackle.
Oliveira double

Ricardo Oliveira's late double earned Real Zaragoza a 3-3 draw at home to RCD Espanyol, despite having Peter Luccin sent off at the start of the second half. The draw meant Espanyol missed their chance to move above fourth-placed Villarreal CF who lost 1-0 at home to struggling Real Betis Balompié. Their neighbours Sevilla FC claimed their first win in five league games, 3-1 at home to Real Murcia CF with Luis Fabiano scoring twice to take his seasonal tally to ten goals. UD Almería defeated Real Valladolid CF 1-0, RC Recreativo de Huelva won 2-0 at bottom side Levante UD and Real Racing Club Santander beat RCD Mallorca 3-1.