Pedro powers Barcelona to victory in Spanish league

BARCELONA (AFP) – Youngster Pedro Rodriguez scored a brace as Barcelona kept up the pace at the top of the Spanish table with a 4-2 win over Real Mallorca.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola sent out a second string side with Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Leo Messi and Dani Alves all missing from the starting line-up.

Although perhaps not as fluid as at their best, Barcelona dominated the game and went ahead through Pedro after a delightful back-heel from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Jose Nunes levelled for Mallorca, heading home at the far post from a corner but Barcelona scored twice in the run-up to half-time to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Pedro scored again and then Thierry Henry scored his first goal after an injury-plagued start to the season.

Mallorca were unable make any real inroads after the break and substitute Messi increased Barcelona's advantage from the penalty spot.

There was still time at the end for a consolation from Alhassane Keita.

A battling performance by Deportivo La Coruna saw them keep up their push for a place in Europe with a 2-0 win at Getafe despite being reduced to nine men.

Getafe had only lost once at home so far to Barcelona but they went behind after 14 minutes when Miguel Mista headed home a cross from full back Luis Felipe.

Deportivo remained solid despite the loss of Riki Sanchez for two yellow cards and extended their lead after 58 minutes with Mista providing the assist for Luis Felipe.

The visitors then saw Sergio Gonzalez dismissed after receiving his second booking but Deportivo held on for the win.

Struggling Malaga picked up an important point against Tenerife who will consider they should have won the game.

Despite Malaga being the better side, Tenerife stormed into a two-goal lead through Roman Martinez and Alejandro Alfaro.

Malaga hit back through Edinho Arnaldo and the striker could have scored again before half-time but his header came back off the crossbar.

With just 13 minutes remaining Javi Lopez found the back of the net to earn Malaga reward for their efforts.

Later Saturday, passions will be riding high in the Madrid derby between Real and Atletico.

Real coach Manuel Pellegrini is expected to leave captain Raul Gonzalez out of the starting line-up for the third consecutive match and he has clearly changed his mind on the player he once considered fundamental.

Raul, a first-team regular at the Bernabeu since he was 17, agrees, however, it would be logical for him not to be in the starting line-up.

"In the last two games the team has played well and I suppose he will stay with the same players. I don't know if I will play or not but I consider myself capable of performing at the level of any player in the world," said Raul who has scored eleven goals against his city rivals in his career.

On Sunday, Sevilla face a rejuvenated Villarreal side and are likely to have Frederic Kanoute and Adriano available after fitness scares.

Following a woeful start to the season under Ernesto Valverde, Villarreal have moved up the table with back-to-back wins in the league.

Valencia must recover their morale when they take on Zaragoza after letting a two-goal lead slip in the Europa League against Slavia Prague and returning to the Mestalla with only a draw.

Sporting Gijon meet Espanyol in what is expected to be a tightly fought match between two sides that have made surprisingly good starts to the season and are level on 13 points.