Betis 2 - Barcelona 1

Betis: Doblas; Melli, Juanito, Rivas, Tais; Cañas, Marcos Assunçao (Arzu 76'); Joaquín (Alfonso 86'), Edu, Benjamín (Fernando 46'); Oliveira. 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Damià, Oleguer (Gerard 60'), Puyol, Gio Van Bronckhorst; Xavi (Iniesta 73'), Márquez, Deco; Giuly (Larsson 65'), Eto'o, Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.

Team changes: Betis: Melli, Cañas, Benjamín, Oliveira for Varela, Arzu, Capi, Fernando / Barcelona: Damià for Belletti.

Goals:
1-0. 49. Edu. First time shot after Joaquín's lofted cross from right wing.
2-0. 68. Oliveira. Ran on to long ball out of defence and rounded Valdés to score.
2-1. 71. Gerard. Header from close up on far post after high cross from Deco.

Leaders Barcelona fell to their first defeat in the league this season, losing 2-1 at Betis in the last match on Sunday evening. The Ruiz de Lopera stadium has not been a happy venue for the Blaugrana in recent years, with four defeats in their last five visits, and the home side came in to the match undefeated in their last seven league games, albeit five of those were draws. But the best chances of the first half fell to the Catalans, Ronaldinho heading twice at Doblas, and the home side's first clear chance didn't come until shortly before the interval when Víctor Valdés saved from Joaquín.

Betis came out strongly after the restart though, and they took the lead when Edu drove home a chipped cross from Joaquín. Valdés had to be at his best to save from Tais and Oliveira and Deco shot wide at the other end before Oliveira scored his side's second goal, Puyol trying to head clear a long punt out of defence by Rivas and only succeeding to lay it at the feet of the striker, who ran on to round the keeper and score.

Barça did pull one back three minutes later, Ronaldinho and Deco combining to cross to the far post, where Gerard, Larsson and Melli all appeared to head the ball into the net between them. Gerard was awarded the goal though as he appeared to get the firmest touch. But Frank Rijkaard's side were unable to get the equaliser they were looking for after that, even though they did most of the attacking and Ronaldinho and Eto'o both put efforts wide.

It was not a great result for the Catalans, coming as it does just a week before their big derby game with Real Madrid. But they stay four points clear at the top of the table, and will still be leaders next weekend whatever happens. Betis were happy with their work though, and they move up to mid-table after their win.