Eto'o leads Barcelona to victory

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o struck twice to give the champions their first win of the season 2-0 against Real Mallorca on Sunday.

Two goals in the space of five first-half minutes settled a Barca side who had looked edgy before going in front.

Mallorca self-destructed after the break and finished the game with nine men, following the dismissals of defender Sergio Ballesteros and midfielder Francisco Farinos.

Early pace-setters Athletic Bilbao were held to a 1-1 draw at Bernd Schuster's Getafe after visiting defender Javier Casas cancelled out Daniel Guiza's exquisite lob.

Promoted Celta Vigo are top with six points following Saturday's 3-2 win over Real Madrid in the Bernabeu, with Galician neighbours Deportivo Coruna second on goal difference after their 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid the same day.

Bilbao are third on four points with Getafe, Barcelona, and Valencia, who drew 2-2 with Real Zaragoza, and Sevilla, who drew 1-1 at Villarreal.

NERVOUS START

Barcelona struggled to find their rhythm in the first half and looked off the pace until Eto'o rose to head the home side in front after 27

Last season's leading scorer spent Friday night in hospital under observation after clashing heads with a team mate in training but he showed few signs of any side-effects.

Dutch defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst floated in a cross from the left and Eto'o beat his man to head straight at Miguel Angel Moya.

But the Mallorca keeper misjudged the bounce and the ball bobbled over him into the goal.

Barely five minutes later, Hector Cuper's side were two behind when a lurking Eto'o pounced to head home a loose ball after Moya could only partly stop Ludovic Giuly's fierce near-post shot.

Mallorca's chances of finding a way back into the game began to dissipate when Ballesteros was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 71st minute.

Farinos followed him down the tunnel 10 minutes from time after collecting two yellow cards in quick succession.

Only the woodwork denied Dutchman Mark van Bommel his first goal for Barca in the closing minutes when he fired against the upright.