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A second-half cracker from Samuel Eto'o gave Barcelona a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.

The Cameroon striker hit his ninth goal of the season when he smashed a left-foot shot past Gorka Iraizoz just after the hour mark.

While there was a clear gulf in class between the two sides, the match was actually fairly even with Athletic using endeavour to match Barca's skill.

The hosts started well and went close through a David Lopez free-kick that was tipped away by Victor Valdes. Igor Gabilondo sent a header just wide, while a Francisco Yeste free-kick was tipped away in style by Victor Valdes and Joseba Garmendia went close after good work from Gabilondo.

Barcelona had their chances too. Eto'o forced a smart stop from Iraizoz on eight minutes, the influential Andres Iniesta fired just over midway through the first half and Iraizoz again saved well this time from Eric Abidal's header.

The second half saw a similarly even pattern emerge, and the home side thought they had a good shout for a penalty when Yaya Toure appeared to handle in the box just before the hour mark.

But the referee deemed any contact to have been accidental and, five minutes later, a Thierry Henry through ball found Eto'o who fired an unstoppable shot past the goalkeeper.

The goal gave Barcelona a touch more confidence and they should have extended their lead when Eto'o latched onto an Iniesta pass but somehow fired wide when one-on-one with Iraizoz.

Carles Puyol almost scored a bizarre headed own-goal from an Athletic corner, but Barca were always in control and the win puts them fourth after Sevilla won 1-0 at Almeria.

A heavily-deflected 53rd-minute shot from Adriano Correia gave a depleted Sevilla the win.

The visitors had no recognised strikers in the starting line-up, with Ivorian anchorman Koffi Ndri Romaric leading the line alongside attacking midfielder Lautaro Acosta.

Both sides had plenty of chances with good goalkeeping from Andres Palop for Sevilla and Diego Alves for Almeria keeping the scoreline low.

Almeria stay sixth after the defeat, while Sevilla go second.

Malaga made it three wins on the trot with a 2-1 home victory over Getafe. The hosts came from behind after Roberto Soldado collected a long punt to put Getafe ahead in the ninth minute. Striker Nabil Baha headed Malaga level after 31 minutes. Duda volleyed the winner soon after, when Getafe keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri misjudged a cross.

Racing Santander's 's Peter Luccin hit the woodwork in the first half before being sent off at the end of their goalless draw at home to Deportivo. Depor's Juan Rodriguez struck the crossbar in the second half, but a first home win and a first away win eluded both clubs.

A 3-0 home win over Mallorca saw Real Betis collect their first win of the season to ease the pressure on coach Paco Chaparro. Damia Abella broke clear to score after two minutes, and Argentine Mariano Pavone tapped away the second from Cameroon midfielder Achille Emana's pass just before the break. Emana completed the scoring near the end.

Sporting Gijon beat Osasuna 2-1 to give the newly-promoted hosts their second Liga win of the season as new Osasuna coach Jose Antonio Camacho got off to a losing start. Carmelo headed the opener from a free-kick after the visiting keeper misjudged the ball early on but Santi Ezquerro broke the offside trap to level soon after. A red card for Osasuna defender Roversio just before the break left them short and trailing as Croatian Mate Bilic put away the ensuing penalty.

David Villa scored twice to help Valencia to a 4-0 win over Numancia. In-form striker Villa scored early on but the floodgates did not open until the 72nd minute when Numancia's defence gifted Juan Manuel Mata the second, failing to clear Villa's cross. Substitute Vicente made it 3-0 and Villa rounded off the scoring at the end with his eighth from seven games to leave Valencia top.

Recreativo will be kicking themselves after drawing 1-1 at Valladolid after dominating the game. They took the lead when Argentine striker Marco Ruben lobbed the opener in the 45th minute. Recre missed a host of chances after the break and were punished at the end when Victor stole in at the back post to nick an equaliser for the hosts.

Reda Maher / Reuters