DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Monday, January 22, 2001 - Web posted at 12:39:47 PM GMT

Barca edge past Valencia

MADRID - Barcelona went second in the Spanish first division on Saturday as a Frank de Boer goal gave them a 1-0 win at Valencia.

Boths sides finished the hotly contested game with 10 men.

The Dutch international defender struck after seven minutes as his low shot from 30 metres wrong-footed the surprised Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares and crept inside his right-hand post.

Barcelona midfielder Luis Enrique was sent off just before halftime and Amedeo Carboni followed him eight minutes after the break in what became an increasingly ill-tempered clash.

There were countless chances for both sides in the remainder of the game but Barca held on to move two points behind Real Madrid, although Vicente del Bosque's side now have two games in hand.

Real, who played at Valladolid yesterday, lead the standings with 38 points.

Barca have 36 and Valencia, who dropped to third, 34.

Fourth-placed Deportivo Coruna (34) can climb back to second if they beat Malaga away yesterday.

Barcelona, who went into the game on a 13-match unbeaten run, were in control in the early stages as their five-man midfield kept Valencia on the back foot.

Former Valencia man Gerard sent a free header wide on 15 minutes after Pep Guardiola's corner picked him out.

The home side created their first decent chance on 15 minutes, Norwegian striker John Carew cracking a low shot across the face of goal.

The game took an ugly turn when Fabian Ayala, who had already received one yellow card, appeared lucky to stay on the pitch as his challenge on Simao Sabrosa in the area left the Portuguese winger sprawled on the ground.

A series of biting tackles followed from both sides, leading to Luis Enrique's dismissal for a second yellow card a few seconds before halftime.

Valencia had precious little time to take advantage of the extra man as Carboni saw red on 53 minutes for his second booking.

Patrick Kluivert missed two clear chances to extend Barca's lead in the second half, both times being denied by fine saves from Canizares.

Valencia were also causing problems in the Barca defence, particularly following the introduction of Kily Gonzalez.

Carew missed another clear-cut opportunity, though, while Gaizka Mendieta and Miguel Angel Angulo also had good chances blocked by the massed ranks of Barca defenders.

- Nampa-Reuters

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