Liga round-up

Iniesta on target for Barca, Valencia see off Atletico

Last updated: 3rd January 2009  

Liga round-up

Henry: First half equaliser

Click below for match summaries

Barcelona 3 Mallorca 1
Valencia 3 Atletico Madrid 1

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Barcelona have extended their lead at the top of the Liga table after battling back from a goal down to claim a 3-1 win over Real Mallorca.

The Catalan giants started brightly enough and Samuel Eto'o was unlucky to see his left-foot volley drift just wide of German Lux's far post.

However, Camp Nou was silenced short after when Aritz Aduriz skipped past Victor Sanchez and finished with aplomb by chipping the ball past the onrushing Victor Valdes.

Josep Guardiola's side came within a whisker of levelling the match when Eidur Gudjohnsen's first-time effort from Xavi's low corner flashed just over the crossbar.

However, they were level just moments later when Thierry Henry controlled a high ball with his right foot before drilling a left-footed effort in off the far post on 30 minutes.

Mallorca battled on bravely to keep Barcelona quiet, but their resistance was broken with 15 minutes left.

Xavi's deflected long-range shot fell kindly to Gudjohnsen and he unselfishly played a square-ball for substitute Andres Iniesta who found the back of the net with ease at the far post.

Barcelona rubbed salt into the wound in injury time with Yaya Toure scoring a fine third after jinking past two defenders shortly after Josemi was given his marching orders for the visitors.

Valencia have surged past Atletico Madrid into second in the table following a 3-1 win at the Mestalla.

The home side were on the front foot from the off, but were twice denied early goals after David Villa and David Silva had efforts chalked off.

Valencia got their noses in front on 33 minutes when David Villa ended his mini-scoring drought after the home side were awarded a somewhat fortunate spot-kick for Ruben Baraja's theatrical fall in the penalty area.

There was nothing lucky about their second goal shortly after when David Silva sent a left-footed effort past Leo Franco after a fine run by Miguel.

Atletico got back into the match just before the interval when Diego Forlan converted from the penalty spot after Baraja was adjudged to have felled an Atletico player in the penalty area.

However, any hopes Atletico harboured of securing a point were extinguished on 68 minutes when David Silva lashed home a left-footed drive from distance following a neat inside pass from Joaquin.