体坛英语新闻：Late show from Barca to go 11 clear in Spain

MADRID, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona needed a late goal from Xavi Hernandez to set them on the way to a 2-0 win at home to Granada on Saturday night.

It was a deserved win for Barca, who maintain their 100 percent start to the season, but they were forced to dig deep against a hard-working and well-organized rival, who had their own chances to cause an upset in the Camp Nou.

Barca coach Tito Vilanova brought David Villa into the side for his first start since December, but opted to play Alex Song in central defense rather than risking young central defender Marc Bartra.

Granada meanwhile had lost on all previous 19 visits to the Camp Nou Stadium, but in the first half they showed themselves to be a tightly organized outfit and it was not until midway through the half that Barca managed a shot on target as Cesc drilled the ball in from distance

The visitors responded well and Guillermo Siquiera was unlucky to see Victor Valdes saw his effort away after the half hour, before Barca began to take control of the match.

However, even though the Catalans controlled the ball, Granada kept calm and although deep in their half, Barca missed too many passes to really pressure the visitors to the evident frustration of Leo Messi.

Vilanova ddin't waste long to bring Pedro Rodriguez and Xavi Hernandez into the game in the second half and his side began to create chances. However, Granada keeper Tono was in fine form and denied Cesc, Xavi and Messi in succession.

Christian Tello was brought on for Adriano and put a series of fine balls into the area, but Tono was looking unbeatable until three minutes from time when Xavi fired home from off the underside of the bar with just three minutes remaining.

Just before Granada had been close to opening the scoring themselves on the break, only for Valdes to save his side from Fabian Orellana, who had only the Barca keeper to beat.

With Granada looking for an equalizer Messi hit the post, after another brilliant Tono save, but from the resulting corner Borja Gomez, who had been excellent all night, deflected Messi's low cross into his own net.

It was not convincing, but Barcelona went to bed 11 points ahead of Real Madrid, who now must win on Vallecas on Sunday.

The day kicked off with Zaragoza taking their first home win of the season with a 3-1 triumph against Osasuna.

Helder Postiga opened the scoring after just 4 minutes with a neatly taken goal and although Daniel Armenteros scored a magnificent solo goal to level on the half hour, an own goal from David Timor on the stroke of half time restored Zaragoza's leaf and Apono sealed the win with a penalty 15 minutes from time.

Celta appear to be finding their feet in the Primera Liga and proved that with a 2-1 against Getafe with all of the goals coming in the second half. Augusto Fernandez opened the scoring for the home side after 57 minutes, but Abdelaziz Barrada equalized two minutes later.

The points were sealed by Korean international ,Park Chu Young, who came into the game as a substitute. The player on loan from Arsenal scored with his first touch of the game to punish Getafe, who had defender Elexis sent off for aggression.

Meanwhile Betis' good start to the season continued at the expense of Espanyol. Paulao's goal after 18 minutes gave Betis all three points and means Espanyol have just one point from five matches.