Henry shines for brilliant Barça

Henry shines for brilliant Barça

Thierry Henry scored a hat-trick as FC Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of the Liga to six points after an emphatic 4-0 win at home to third-placed Valencia CF while their nearest rivals Villarreal CF had to battle back from 3-0 down to claim a point at home to Getafe CF.
Easy win

Barcelona kicked off with 40 league goals in just 13 games and they almost added to that tally in the second minute when Xavi Hernández struck the post. They were not to be denied for long, however, with Henry scoring on 20 and 28 minutes to put the home side in command. Daniel Alves added a third with less than minute played in the second half before Henry rounded out the scoring with his third eleven minutes from time. Victory takes Barcelona on to 35 points, eight more than Valencia and six ahead of Villarreal who were ultimately grateful for a point after mounting a spirited second-half revival against Getafe to earn a draw.
Villarreal held

Estéban Granero (10), Jaime Gavilán (18) and Francisco Casquero (29) put Getafe in control at El Madrigal but the home side rallied after the break and when goalkeeper Pato's clearance rebounded off Robert Pirès and into the net the comeback had begun. Sebastián Eguren knocked home Diego Godín's headed pass with seven minutes left before Ariel Ibagaza's centre was turned in by Giuseppe Rossi to complete the improbable comeback with four minutes to play. The goal sparked wild celebrations, though Villarreal will ultimately rue further dropped points.
Atlético impress

Sergio Agüero and Diego Forlán both scored twice as Club Atlético de Madrid defeated Real Sporting de Gijón 5-2 to win away from home for just the second time in the Liga this season. Mate Bilić headed the hosts in front in the third minute, but Agüero levelled with a bicycle kick shortly afterwards and put Atlético in front five minutes before half-time when he pounced on an Iván Cuéllar mistake. Another defensive error allowed Forlán in for number three on 54 minutes and though David Barral reduced the arrears six minutes later, Atlético ran out comfortable winners thanks to further goals from Maxi Rodríguez (71) and Forlán (80) as Atlético climbed to fifth.

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