Milestone for Xavi as Barcelona edge Levante
Sunday, January 2, 2011
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Xavi Hernández equalled Migueli's club record of 549 appearances for FC Barcelona in a 2-1 win against Levante UD which established a five-point lead over Real Madrid CF, who play on Monday.
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FC Barcelona were made to work by Levante UD before emerging 2-1 winners on a record-equalling night for Xavi Hernández.
Without Lionel Messi, whom the Liga leaders have granted an extended winter break, Josep Guardiola's side fashioned little before half-time against opponents who were proving more obdurate than when beaten 8-0 by Real Madrid CF in the cup 11 days ago.
That changed within 90 seconds of the restart, though, when Daniel Alves teed up Pedro Rodríguez, whose shot went in via a deflection. The pair combined again just before the hour but in more emphatic fashion, Pedro sweeping in the Brazilian's cut-back for a goal that proved decisive after Stuani (80) struck a stunning volley for Levante.
While Barcelona celebrated a victorious start to 2011, Xavi had cause to rejoice on a personal level having matched Migueli's club record of 549 appearances. Sevilla FC ended a run of five successive Liga defeats by overcoming CA Osasuna 1-0 courtesy of Frédéric Kanouté's header. Fourth-placed Valencia CF, meanwhile, had Aritz Aduriz sent off (60) but still managed to defeat the team directly below them, RCD Espanyol, 2-1 thanks to Juan Mata's late winner (90).
Elsewhere, Adrián struck twice as ten-man RC Deportivo La Coruña overcame nine-man Athletic Club 2-1, while Málaga CF moved out of the relegation zone and above opponents Real Sporting de Gijón after an away victory by the same score.
