Madrid, Oct 27: Brazilian forward Ronaldinho scored in the 23rd minute yesterday as FC Barcelona won for the first time in five matches by beating Mallorca 3-1 in the Spanish League.
Argentine striker Javier Saviola and Dutch midfielder Philip Cocu also scored to provide Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard with much-needed relief.
In other eighth-round games, Serbia and Montenegro striker Savo Milosevic netted against his former club as Celta de Vigo beat last-place Espanyol 4-0, while compatriot Darko Kovacevic scored in Real Sociedad's 1-0 win over Osasuna.
Elsewhere, it was: Murcia 1, Atletico de Madrid 3; Real Betis 3, Albacete 2; Valladolid 2, Athletic de Bilbao 0; and Villarreal 3, Sevilla 3.
After eight games, Deportivo de La Coruna leads the standings with 21 points, two clear of Real Madrid and Valencia. Osasuna is next with 14 points, followed by Real Betis with 13, one more than Real Sociedad.



Barcelona moved up to seventh place by gaining its first league win since Sept. 14.


Bureau Report