Hernandez brace puts Barcelona top in Spain amid racism

Spain's Euro 2008 hero Xavi Hernandez scored a brace as Barcelona reeled off their seventh consecutive league win, thrashing promoted Malaga 4-1 on Saturday, though racism directed at Samuel Eto'o marred the game.

It was a bitter-sweet night for the Catalonian club because though they shot to the top of the Spanish league table, monkey cries aimed at Eto'o proved a low point and he was whistled when he was substituted late in the game.

It was not the first time that Barcelona's star striker had received such treatment in a Spanish stadium.

In February 2006, Eto'o had wanted to leave the pitch in a 2-0 victory against Real Zaragaoza when monkey cries were given in his direction but he continued the match after being persuaded by the referee and team-mates.

The incidents came just after a Spanish website targetted McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton with racist abuse.

Xavi, voted best player at Euro 2008, scored early in both halves (5 min, 52) while Argentine Lionel Messi bagged his sixth goal of the season as Barca went a point clear of Villarreal at the top.

Villarreal also won 4-1 on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with Athletic Bilbao their victims.

Valencia, two points behind leaders Barca, now lie third but can go back to the top with three points over Racing Santander in Saturday's late match.

Defending champions Real Madrid, three points behind Barca, are in action on Sunday at Almeria.

Malaga had won their previous four league matches going into the Barca showdown but were outclassed by a team that are starting to gel under the guidance of new coach Pep Guardiola.

Messi claimed in midweek that the summer departures of Ronaldinho and Deco have helped the club to turn over a new page and 22 points from 27 points suggest they are heading in the right direction.

Barcelona's next match is at home on Tuesday when they face FC Basel in the Champions League looking to continue their perfect start in Europe.

Elsewhere Argentine attacker Sergio “Kun” Aguero gave Liverpool something to think about ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match at Anfield with a brace as Atletico Madrid defeated Real Mallorca 2-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.

Aguero was back in the starting XI after being rested for the past few matches and returned with a bang scoring a first half double (14 min, 28).

It was Atletico's first league victory since September 24 when they defeated derby rivals Getafe 2-1 and Javier Aguirre's side climb to sixth.

Villarreal put their Kings Cup nightmare firmly behind them with a 4-1 triumph at Athletic Bilbao to go second.

Villarreal went into the match reeling from a 5-0 Kings Cup humiliation by unknown Poli Ejido but responded in the perfect way with Giuseppe Rossi scoring after 24 minutes.

However the lead was shortlived as Jose Etxeberria levelled four minutes later for Bilbao.

But France's 1998 World Cup winner Pires, nearing the end of his career at 35, restored Villarreal's lead on 53 minutes and Santiago Cazorla wrapped up the points six minutes later.

Villarreal now turn their attention to Wednesday's Champions League match against Danish side Aalborg BK. Manuel Pellegrini's outfit are tied on seven points at the top of group E along with reigning champions Manchester United.