FC Barcelona gave a lesson in how not to defend but still managed to beat Real Betis 3-2 on Wednesday night while Real Madrid took an easy win against Sporting Gijon in Primera Liga.

Two goals from Samuel Eto'o, his 99th and 100th for the club, gave Barca a 2-0 lead at half time. But some dreadful defending allowed Betis to level the scores, although credit must be given to the visitors for whom Monzon and Jose Mari found the net.

With over 20 minutes remaining, the game was in the balance, before Eidur Gudjohnsen assured the points for Barca with a far post volley after 79 minutes.

Real Madrid had far fewer problems destroying Sporting Gijon 7-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Sporting had lost 6-1 at home to Barca at the weekend and they were already 3-0 down to Real at the break on Wednesday night, thanks to two goals from Rafael Van der Vaart and one from Gonzalo Higuain.

Van der Vaart completed his hat-trick after the break, Arjen Robben added a fifth and although Sporting pulled a goal back, Raul scored twice to make it 7-1 before the end.

With 13 goals conceded in their last two games and 19 in their first four games this season, Sporting has to be considered as favorites for a quick return to the Second Division.

Sinama Pongolle is proving himself to be a more than ample replacement for the injured Diego Forlan at Atletico Madrid.

The French striker scored his side's first goal in the 2-1 win in the Madrid derby against Getafe and although Albin leveled the scores with a quarter of an hour left on the clock, Simana Pongolle provoked the winner for his side after 82 minutes.

Maxi Rodriguez left him clean through on goal, although his final shot took a touch from Cortes on its way through to goal. The win leaves Atletico second in the table.

However, it is Villarreal who ended Wednesday as provisional leaders of the Primera Liga thanks to their 2-0 win over Racing Santander.

First half goals from Joan Capdevila and Joseba Llorente gave Manuel Pellegrini's team a comfortable lead and although Racing pressed hard in the second half, there was no way back for the visitors.

Sevilla inflicted the first defeat of the campaign on Espanyol with goals from Maresca and Chevanton giving the home side a fairly straight forward 2-0 win.

Espanyol's misery was complete when they lost defender Steve Finnan with a calf injury. The Irish right back, who only made his debut on Saturday night, was carried out of the game before half time and will miss the derby against Barca this weekend.

Finally Osasuna and Deportivo la Coruna produced a dull 0-0 draw in Osasuna's El Sadar Stadium.

There are four more Prima Liga games to be played on Thursday night.

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2008)