Fuente: © UEFA (English)
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FOOTBALL EUROPE: Clinical Barça claim derby win

/noticias.info/ Deco and Samuel Eto'o were on target either side of half-time as FC Barcelona beat RCD Espanyol 2-1 in the Catalan derby to move five points clear of CA Osasuna at the top of the Primera División.

Messi lob

Both sides struggled to adapt to difficult conditions at the Olímpico de Montjuïc stadium as torrential rain looked to put a dampener on the eagerly-awaited game. But Barça gradually took the initiative and after Lionel Messi saw a lob drift just over the crossbar, Deco broke the deadlock two minutes before half-time, firing a low shot across the greasy surface that bounced over goalkeeper Idris Kameni.

Tamudo consolation

It was the Portuguese playmakers' third goal of the season, but both he and rest of Frank Rijkaard's team have been eclipsed by Eto'o in the scoring charts this season, and the Cameroonian clocked up his 18th of the campaign just after the restart. That is more than Espanyol have scored all term and although Raúl Tamudo reduced the deficit on the hour mark a second goal proved elusive as Barça earned their 15th consecutive victory.

Deportivo rise

RC Deportivo La Coruña are now third after a battling 2-1 win against struggling Athletic Club Bilbao at San Mamés. The home side went into the game lifted by a vibrant mid-week performance against Real Madrid CF in the Copa del Rey, but were unable to capitalise on early pressure as Julen Guerrero and new signing Aritz Aduriz both spurned opportunities.

Athletic fall

They were made to pay midway through the half when Jesús Lacruz's own goal handed Deportivo the lead. Athletic fought back and eventually equalised on the hour mark when substitute Ismael Urzaiz converted Joseba Etxeberria's cross. But four minutes later the visitors restored their lead through a substitute of their own, Javier Arizmendi, and there was no way back for Athletic who remain 17th. notas_de_prensa_archivo