The Hindu : Sport / Football : Barcelona's run continues

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 09, 2006

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Sport - Football

Barcelona's run continues

MADRID: Defending champion Barcelona continued its irresistible form with a 15th straight win in all competitions after a 2-1 verdict over city rival Espanyol in the Spanish league on Saturday.

Barcelona went 2-0 up, thanks to classy goals from Portugal midfielder Deco and leading striker Samuel Eto'o either side of half-time, before Raul Tamudo pulled one back for the home side with a neat finish on the hour. The victory left Frank Rijkaard's side five points clear of Osasuna. Deportivo la Coruna moved up to third, six points behind Osasuna, with a 2-1 victory over the accident-prone Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

An own goal from Bilbao defender Mari Lacruz and a howler by goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia gifted the improving Deportivo its fourth away victory in a row.

The Catalan derby was a typically intense affair with Espanyol doing its best to suffocate Barcelona in midfield and stop them playing its customary passing game.

The tactics seemed to have paid off as the visitor was restricted to a couple of half chances in the first half hour.

The results:

Spanish league: Barcelona bt Espanyol 2-1; Deportivo la Coruna bt Athletic Bilbao 2-1.

Italian league: Juventus bt Palermo 2-1; Reggina drew with Fiorentina 1-1.

FA Cup (third round): Aston Villa bt Hull 1-0; Arsenal bt Cardiff 2-1; Chelsea bt Huddersfield 2-1; Liverpool bt Luton 5-3; Newcastle bt Mansfield 1-0; West Ham bt Norwich 2-1; Nuneaton drew with Middlesbrough 1-1.

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