体坛英语新闻：Barcelona display authority as Real Madrid lose their way

MADRID, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona stamped their authority on match day 13 of the Primera Liga with a 3-0 away win against Sevilla in the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o (L) celebrates next to Leo Messi after scoring against Sevilla during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville Nov. 29, 2008.

A first half goal from Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring before two late strikes from Leo Messi sealed a convincing win in one of the most difficult grounds in Spain.

    Barcelona's win was made all the more important by the fact that Real Madrid slipped to defeat away to Getafe.

    Getafe had proved a week ago that it is a tough team to break down and against Real Madrid they played positive attacking football.

    Two goals from Juan Albin put Getafe two goals ahead after 47 minutes, before Javier Saviola a chance of taking something from the match when he pulled a goal back seven minutes later.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) is challenged by Sevilla's Federico Fazio during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville Nov. 29, 2008.

However, Ikechukwu Uche sealed the points for Getafe six minutes from the final whistle in a game where Getafe also had two clear penalty appeals turned down.

    Villarreal and Valencia were two other teams who took advantage of Real Madrid's slip-up. Villarreal eased to a comfortable 2-1 win away to Recreativo Huelva.

    Santi Cazorla and Ariel Ibagaza put the visitors, who are unbeaten away from home this season, 2-0 up and although Adrian Colunga scored a late penalty for Recreativo, Villarreal always looked like holding on.

    Valencia meanwhile gave the fans a nervous time in the Mestalla stadium before finally emerging 3-2 winners over Betis. It was looking easy for Valencia when David Villa and Juan Mata put them ahead after just 20 minutes.

    Betis dug deep in the second half and Juanma and Achile Emana got them back on level terms by the 63rd minute. Emana's goal came from the penalty, which saw Valencia reduced to 10 men after Carlos Marchena was shown the red card.

    The visitors looked to be on the verge of turning the game around but Ruben Baraja sealed the points with a header 17 minutes from time.

    Espanyol's dreadful run of form continued as the Barcelona based club lost 1-0 at home to Sporting Gijon, a result that cost coach "Tintin" Marquez his job as first team coach.

Espanyol's coach Bartolome Marquez reacts against Villarreal during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Lluis Companys stadium in Barcelona Oct. 18, 2008

Almeria also lost at home, a 75th minute goal from Verdu gave Deportivo la Coruna all three points on the South coast and lift Deportivo up to sixth in the league table.

    Athletic Club Bilbao climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Numancia. Two first half goals from Fernando Llorente were enough to give the Basque side all three points.

    Valladolid made it four wins in five games with a 3-0 triumph over Mallorca. Garcia Calvo opened the scoring against a Mallorca that has also become dragged into the relegation struggle.

Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez (C) fights for the ball between Sevilla's Diego Capel (L) and Ndri Romaric during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville Nov. 29, 2008.

Elsewhere Malaga needed two late goals to beat Osasuna 4-2, while Atletico Madrid cruised to an easy 4-1 win against Racing Santander with two goals from Diego Forlan.

Barcelona's Leo Messi (R) celebrates with Carles Puyol after scoring against Sevilla during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville Nov. 29, 2008.