Barcelona and Atlético keep rolling

Pedro Rodríguez struck a hat-trick and Víctor Valdés saved another penalty to help FC Barcelona to a 4-0 Liga win at Rayo Vallecano de Madrid as both they and Club Atlético de Madrid maintained their pefect starts.

Just past the half-hour Lionel Messi set up Pedro for Barcelona's first, and although Roberto Trashorras had the chance to respond immediately from the spot, he was denied by Valdés, who also saved an AFC Ajax penalty on Wednesday. Pedro made it two early in the second half, turning in a Cesc Fàbregas cross, and with 18 minutes left his third was provided by Neymar. Fàbregas completed the scoring.

That was their fifth win, something emulated by Atlético with a 2-0 victory at Real Valladolid CF thanks to second-half goals from Raúl García and Diego Costa. Both Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF attempt to return to within two points on Sunday.

Beaten on their UEFA Champions League return in midweek, Real Sociedad de Fútbol were held 0-0 at home by Málaga CF. Levante UD came back from two behind to draw 2-2 at ten-man UD Almería, who remain winless.CA Osasuna got off the mark on Friday by beating fellow early strugglers Elche FC 2-1.