Madrid: Brazilian superstar Kaka scored his
first league goal in three months as Real Madrid closed back
to within five points of pacesetters Barcelona at the top of
the Spanish top-flight with a comfortable 3-0 home win over
Espanyol.
Barcelona had gone eight points clear with a 2-0 home win
over Getafe earlier yesterday, despite playing over an hour of
the game with ten men, so the pressure was on Real and they
responded with an 11th consecutive home victory.
Real were without Cristiano Ronaldo, completing his
two-match ban, but didn't need the Portuguese star as goals
from Sergio Ramos, Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain sealed an easy
win.
Madrid got off to a great start when Ramos headed in
Esteban Granero's cross after just five minutes.
Kaka netted a second on 29 minutes after captain Raul,
back in the starting line-up, saw his initial effort saved.
Kaka was all smiles after ending a run of seven league
games without a goal and this was his first goal since he
netted in the 3-2 derby win over Atletico Madrid back on
November 7.
"It was nice for me to score after so many games," said
Kaka. "I am coming back from injury and just finding my best
form.”
"Barcelona are doing well at the moment and not dropping
points but we just have to continue winning our games."
Kaka almost scored again in the second half when he
rattled the post.
Argentine Higuain made his Real first appearance
following a three week lay-off and came off the bench to score
in the final minute to make it 3-0.
Leaders Barcelona had to show the spirit of champions to
beat Getafe 2-1 at Camp Nou despite the handicap of playing 65
minutes with ten men after Gerard Pique was sent off for a
late lunge.
Barcelona had taken a fifth-minute lead with Lionel Messi
curling in a brilliant effort for his 16th goal of the season
but defender Gerard Pique got a straight red card on 25
minutes for a late lunge to complicate matters.
Barca rode out the storm for a fifth consecutive win with
Messi setting up Xavi for the second goal on 66 minutes and it
proved crucial as Roberto Soldado scored a penalty in stoppage
time.
The Getafe match was special for midfielder Andres
Iniesta who made his 200th league appearance for Barca.
For Argentine centre-back Gaby Milito it was a first
league start of the season as he continues his recovery
following serious cruciate ligament injuries.
"Playing with one man less is always difficult and Getafe
are a great team so this was a great win," said Milito. "On a
personal level it was nice to play 90 minutes after coming
back from my injuries."
With just five minutes gone Barca took the lead with
Messi wrapping his left foot around the ball and his bending
shot flew in.
A second goal looked a matter of time but Pique then lost
his cool on 25 minutes lunging at Rafa Gomez and the referee
had no hesitation in reaching for the red card.
Despite being one man less Barca created chances and
Seydou Keita missed a sitter on the hour mark putting his shot
wide from close range.
Fortunately for Keita it didn't prove costly with Messi
showing great balance and control to set up Xavi who made no
mistake to score on 66 minutes.
Rafa Marquez was sent off in the closing stages for
giving away a penalty which Roberto Soldado converted but
Barca took the spoils.
Getafe must dust themselves down for Wednesday's Kings
Cup semi-final test against Sevilla trailing 2-0 from the
first leg.
Earlier Valencia triumphed 2-0 at home over Valladolid,
moving them six points clear of fourth-placed Sevilla.
For Valladolid's new coach Onesimo Sanchez, who replaced
the sacked Jose Luis Mendilibar, it was a disappointing start
in his first game in charge and the club now lie a point above
the relegation zone without a win in 2010.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, February 07, 2010, 11:02