Barca ride on Pedro power
Jan. 3: Pedro Rodriguez netted a brace as champions Barcelona started 2011 with a nervy 2-1 home win over Levante on Sunday to move five points clear of Real Madrid at the Spanish first division summit.
Pedro struck on 47 and 59 minutes to clinch an 11th successive league victory for Barca and Real must now defeat derby rivals Getafe on Monday to move back to within two points of their bitter rivals. Brazilian Dani Alves set up the opener for Pedro, faking to shoot twice before laying the ball back for the forward to drill home Barcelona’s first goal of the new year two minutes after the break.
Alves was the provider for the second goal as well, teeing up Pedro to curl a controlled shot into the corner. It was a special game for Spanish World Cup winner Xavi, who equalled Barcelona’s all-time appearance record. The 30-year-old playmaker made his 549th outing to draw level with legendary centre-back Migueli. “We wanted to win this game for him (Xavi),” said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. “I played for many years here and reached 300 games which seemed a lot. If his tendons hold out I think he could reach 700 games,” he said.
With seven minutes gone Andres Iniesta had a chip tipped over and David Villa then sliced a shot wide as Levante, who lost 0-8 to Real Madrid in the King’s Cup last time out, rode their luck. Xavi should have marked his landmark appearance with the opening goal after 26 minutes but shot wide after Iniesta had created the chance with a neat run down the left. Barcelona got the perfect start in the second half, however, as Pedro scored two minutes after the restart.
Pedro made it four goals in his last two league games with his second, curling a fine shot into the left-hand side of the goal just before the hour. Substitute Christian Stuani gave the champions a late scare by volleying home on 80 minutes but Barcelona survived a tense final 10 minutes to take the points.
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