Getafe 1 - Barcelona 2

Getafe: Sánchez Broto; Mario Cotelo, Belenguer, Nano, Pernía; Alberto (Yordi 46'), Cubillo (Gica Craioveanu 46'), Gabi, Vivar Dorado; Pachón, Riki. 4-4-2.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Belletti (Damià 63'), Oleguer, Puyol, Gio Van Bronckhorst; Xavi, Márquez, Deco; Giuly (Iniesta 63'), Eto'o, Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.

Team changes: Getafe: Sánchez Broto, Mario Cotelo, Cubillo for Sergio Sánchez, Yanguas, Diego Rivas / Barcelona: Giuly for Larsson.

Goals:
0-1. 19. Márquez. Fired long free kick into far corner of net from outside area.
0-2. 22. Deco. Collected pass in from Xavi and struck low shot past Sánchez Broto.
1-2. 58. Craioveanu. Picked up bad clearance from Puyol and shot wide of Valdés.

Barcelona opened up a nine point gap at the top of the table pending Sunday's games after a 1-2 win at Getafe. Frank Rijkaard's side appeared to be on the way to an easy victory when they scored twice in a three minute period midway through the first half, Márquez putting them ahead with a well struck free kick and Deco getting the second after a good run by Xavi down the left wing. And they could have been further ahead had Giuly, Ronaldinho and Eto'o taken their chances before the break.

But the hosts were not out of it, Víctor Valdés making a reaction save to tip a header from Riki over the bar before half time. And the keeper was to play a starring role in the second half after Quique Flores threw on two forwards Yordi and Craioveanu, both of whom went close within minutes of making their appearance. Craioveanu pulled one back after an uncharacteristic mistake from Puyol, and it took spectacular saves by Valdés from Gabi, Yordi and Nano to keep his side ahead.

Seven minutes from the end though Getafe were left with ten men when Craioveanu was sent off for a clumsy challenge on Deco from behind, and there their challenge effectively ended. Eto'o could have extended the lead had Sánchez Broto not stopped his effort at point blank range, but Barcelona had done just enough to win. A plucky display once again though by the locals, only spoilt by the attitude of some of their fans, who once again shouted racial abuse against Eto'o and Ronaldinho.