Big two make slow returns

Primera Liga:Barcelona and Real Madrid returned to action in the Primera Liga after the Christmas break with disappointing performances yesterday.

Champions Barcelona scrambled a barely deserved 1-1 at Getafe, while Real slumped to a second defeat in a row when they went down 2-0 against struggling Deportivo Coruna.

Midfielder Xavi got Barca out of jail with a superbly struck free kick to cancel out an opportunist goal by Getafe striker Daniel Guiza, who had cashed in on a dreadful error by Mexican centre back Rafael Marquez.

Deportivo, who had not won in nine games and had conceded 10 goals without reply in their last three, outclassed Real Madrid who have not won at the Riazor in over 15 years.

The results mean Sevilla stay top of the pile with 37 points from 17 games despite their 2-1 defeat at Zaragoza on Saturday.

Barcelona, who have a game in hand but have won just once in their last four outings, are two points adrift of the leaders but remain three ahead of third-placed Real.

A Miguel Angel Angulo strike in the 73rd minute gave Valencia a 1-0 victory at Villarreal to put them in fifth place after last night's late fixture.

Getafe, who beat Real earlier in the season, made a bright start against Barca as they deprived them of the ball in the opening quarter and forced the visitors to live off scraps of possession.

Missing Ronaldinho and Deco through suspension, Barca looked lost as the fog descended on the Coliseo and Getafe took full advantage to snatch the lead nine minutes into the second half after Marquez's howler.

The Mexican, one of several Barca players who arrived late for training this week after the Christmas break, scuffed a backpass allowing Guiza to pounce on the loose ball, shrug off a challenge from Carles Puyol and side-foot into the net.

Barcelona continued to struggle in the second half, but midfielder Xavi came to the rescue when he left goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri standing as he curled a free kick around the wall and into the top corner 20 minutes from time.

Deportivo made a whirlwind start at the Riazor and defender Joan Capdevila put them ahead when he fired a free kick through a ragged wall and past goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the 10th minute.

Striker Angel Arizmendi's hard work was rewarded 11 minutes into the second half when he skipped past Fabio Cannavaro and squared the ball for young striker Cristian to poke home into the open net.