Barca held as Real flops
Wednesday, January 10, 2007

The Primera Liga resumed on Sunday after the Christmas break with giants Barcelona and Real Madrid producing disappointing performances.

Defending champions Barcelona scrambled a barely deserved 1-1 at Getafe, while Real slumped to a second defeat in a row when they went down 2-0 against struggling Deportivo Coruna.

Midfielder Xavi salvaged a draw for Barca with a superbly struck free kick to cancel out an opportunist goal by Getafe striker Daniel Guiza who had cashed in on a howling error by Mexican centre back Rafael Marquez.

Depor, who had not won in nine games and had conceded 10 goals without reply in their last three, outclassed a rudderless Real Madrid who have not won at the Riazor in over 15 years.

The results mean Sevilla stay top of the standings with 37 points from 17 games despite their 2-1 defeat at Zaragoza on Saturday.

Barca, who have a game in hand but have won just once in their last four outings, are two points adrift of the leaders and three ahead of third-placed Real who have 32 points.

Zaragoza are two points further back in fourth, level on 30 with Valencia who notched up their fourth victory in a row with a 1-0 win at regional rivals Villarreal.

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