Eto'o feels pain as Beckham bites back

Spanish league rivals David Beckham and Samuel Eto'o were among the players making the headlines on Sunday - but for distinctly opposite reasons.

Beckham, still hurting from recently learning that he is for the moment no longer part of the England team, scored Real Madrid's second goal in a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Former Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes opened the scoring for Real in the 69th minute, and Beckham's 90th minute goal sealed the points, which kept Fabio Capello's under-fire side within touching distance of their arch rivals.

Barcelona are not top of the Spanish league, but after their 3-0 away humbling of Racing Santander they are only behind on-form Sevilla on goals difference.

Racing got off to a lively start, and were unlucky not to have taken a two-goal lead inside the first 20 minutes.

However Barcelona, the reigning European and Spanish champions, showed their class soon afterwards when Eto'o broke the deadlock with a superb strike from long range.

The Cameroonian international's swerving shot from 25 yards bounced just before it reached Racing's keeper, and slipped almost inexplicably past his grasp and into the net.

Barcelona were forced into a nervous wait throughout the second half before Frenchman Ludovic Giuly doubled their lead in the 84th minute.

That gave Barcelona the freedom to roam, and Brazilian showman Ronaldinho added their third goal from the penalty spot.

Sevilla top the table thanks mainly to the goalscoring efforts of former West Ham and Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute, who grabbed a goal in each half before Brazilian Renato Dirnei scored an 85th minute winner for the Andalusians in a 3-2 win against Real Betis.

It means Sevilla, Barcelona and Valencia remain the only unbeaten teams in the league after three league matches. Real are in fourth two points adrift and just ahead of Deportivo La Coruna on goals difference after the Galicians' 2-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday.

Barcelona's win warmed the hopes of fans and coach Frank Rijkaard, but it ended with a tinge of regret.

Eto'o, who in the past has been the victim of racist taunts, which almost led to him walking off the pitch last February during a game against Real Zaragoza, was once again the victim.

Spanish radio Cadena Ser reported that after his goal Eto'o the striker was taunted by Santander supporters.

Source: China Daily