Barcelona 2 - Levante 1

Barcelona: Rubén; Damià (Messi 58'), Oleguer, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst; Iniesta, Xavi, Deco; Belletti, Eto'o, Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.
Levante: Mora; Descarga, Culebras, Alexis, Pinillos; Celestini, Rivera; Ettien (Juanma 89'), Jofre, Nacho (Camacho 73'); Manchev (Sergio García 65'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Barcelona: Rubén, Damià for Víctor Valdés, Márquez / Levante: Descarga, Alexis, Rivera, Nacho for Jesule, Harte, Sandro, Reggi.

Goals:
1-0. 28. Deco. Struck quickly taken free kick which Alexis deflected into own net.
1-1. 60. Jofre. Ran on to Ettien pass and hit low shot across Rubén from left.
2-1. 88. Eto'o. Took pass from Ronaldinho and beat two men before scoring.

The record books were tumbling at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, Barcelona making their best ever start to a season and ensuring an unbeaten home record in the league in 2004 after beating Levante 2-1. It was not a convincing victory though, and Bernd Schuster's side could even have come away with the three points with a little more luck.

All eyes were on Ronaldinho as he paraded his World player of the year trophy before kick off, but although the Brazilian star did bring a save out of Mora early on, it was Deco who gave the Catalans the lead with a quickly taken free kick on the half hour mark which Alexis headed past his own keeper trying to clear. Levante had caused some problems earlier on though for young keeper Rubén (who was replacing the suspended Valdés), with Damià having to clear an effort from Nacho off the line and Manchev having a penalty appeal turned down, and Manchev, Nacho and Ettien all failed to convert chances before the break.

A quarter of an hour after the restart the visitors got the goal they deserved, ex Barcelona forward Jofre taking a pass from Ettien to beat Rubén, and Rivera had a goal disallowed for a borderline offside soon afterwards. The Barcelona players were looking tired, but the introduction of Messi for the limping Damià revitalised the side, Mora doing well to save from the Argentina under 17 international and from Eto'o on the follow up.

The game appeared to be heading for a draw when Eto'o picked up a short pass from Ronaldinho just two minutes from the end to burst through the defence and fire the winner past Mora. That sparked off a confrontation between several players, the visitors protesting that Descarga was on the floor when the goal was scored (although he didn't appear to be injured) and that the ball should have been put out of play. The referee didn't agree though and allowed the goal to stand, and Barça picked up another three points which takes them twelve points clear pending Wednesday's games, and ensures that they will be crowned winter champions at the half-way stage of the competition. Right now though they will be happy for the two week break.