Bojan brace keeps Barcain control

FORGOTTEN striker Bojan Krkic scored his first league goals of the season as Barcelona restored their six-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish Primera Liga with a 2-0 win at Almeria last night.

Coach Pep Guardiola chose to rest Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry, giving Bojan a rare start, and the 18-year-old seized his opportunity scoring a second half brace inside three minutes. Even an inspirational game from Almeria’s Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Alves could not keep Barcelona at bay as they continue their treble bid.

Seydou Keita, Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique were all thwarted by Alves in a goalless first half.

However, the breakthrough arrived in the 53rd minute with Bojan following up after Messi had hit the post with a curling shot.

It was Bojan’s first league goal of the campaign and the second came three minutes later when he completed a wonderful team goal involving Dani Alves, Messi and Andres Iniesta.

Barca, who annihilated Lyon in the Champions League last week, lead from rivals Real Madrid, who bounced back from their drubbing at Liverpool with a 5-2 win at Athletic Bilbao.

A brace from Klaas Jan Huntelaar and further goals from Arjen Robben, Gabriel Heinze and Gonzalo Higuain sealed a hard-fought victory at San Mames.

Sevilla went down 2-0 at Malaga while Deportivo La Coruna lost 2-0 at Sporting Gijon.

Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos felt his side’s 5-2 margin of victory over Athletic Bilbao was a fair reflection of the dominance they enjoyed.

“The scoreline reflected pretty well what happened on the pitch,” said Ramos.

“The team have been able to react and take control, and that was important after a game so intense as last Tuesday against Liverpool.

“Given the choice we would’ve preferred to continue in the Champions League, but if we look at the positive side it’s clear that from now on we are going to have seven days to prepare for each league game, which Barca won’t have.”

Atletico Madrid hit back from 2-0 down to stun 10-man Villarreal in a thrilling match at the Vicente Calderon. Defeat would have left Atletico eight points behind fourth-placed Villarreal in the race for the final Champions League spot and it would have been hard for the Rojiblancos to make up that gap with only 11 games remaining.

But Abel Resino’s side produced one of their best displays of the season to take the points after goals from Sergio Aguero, Diego Forlan and Antonio Lopez cancelled out efforts from Matias Fernandez and Cani.

“It was impossible to have any more chances than we had in this match,” said Atletico coach Abel Resino.

“Diego Lopez (the Villarreal goalkeeper) was fantastic for them but I told the players to keep going and carry on playing like they were.”

Ten-man Espanyol came from two goals down to claim a hard-earned point in an entertaining relegation duel against Real Mallorca at Montjuic.

Real Betis and Osasuna remain in trouble at the wrong end of the table after a dull goalless draw.

Deportivo La Coruna went down 3-2 at Sporting Gijon while Valladolid beat Getafe 1-0.