Barca off to a flier

Barcelona striker David Villa is ecstatic after scoring the third
goal against Racing Santander during their Primera Liga encounter
at the Sardinero Stadium on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho's La Liga adventure got off to a limp start on Sunday when Real Madrid were held to a 0-0 draw at Real Mallorca while champions Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 win at Racing Santander.


Snapped up after last season's treble-winning exploits with Inter Milan, Mourinho's arrival as coach at the Bernabeu has raised expectations he can end Barcelona's two-year reign as champions.

While his new team were struggling to click in Mallorca, Pep Guardiola's well-drilled outfit banged in three goals thanks to Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and David Villa.

Real Madrid's Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain was denied three times by home goalkeeper Dudu Aouate and Cristiano Ronaldo spurned a great chance as the visitors upped the pressure.

Mourinho's new signings Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Canales and Ricardo Carvalho all featured but despite a frantic finish Michael Laudrup's Mallorca were worth their point.

"We were good tactically and very good in defence," Real Madrid's keeper and captain Iker Casillas told Spanish television.

"We did well and little by little will get better. The ball just did not want to go in."

Barca had earlier thrown down the gauntlet, appearing unruffled by the contentious exit of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to AC Milan.

Messi, who grabbed a hattrick in the Spanish Super Cup last weekend, only needed four minutes to rip open the defence and score with a delightful lob.

Iniesta followed up with a volley from outside the area and new signing Villa headed his first league goal in a Barca shirt, after Victor Valdes had saved a penalty before the break.

"We still lack a little continuity in our play but this will improve as the season progresses," Guardiola told reporters.

Second division champions Real Sociedad celebrated their return to La Liga after a three-year absence with a 1-0 win at home to Villarreal.

Xavier Prieto raced on to Joseba Llorente's backheel to score after 57 minutes, making them the only promoted club to win in the opening round of matches.

Levante and Hercules were beaten on Saturday.

A double strike from Pablo Osvaldo helped Espanyol overcome Getafe 3-1 while the games between Deportivo Coruna and Real Zaragoza and Osasuna and Almeria ended 0-0.

RESULTS

Espanyol 3 (Osvaldo 33, 54, Datolo 90) Getafe 1 (Galan 61-og)

Deportivo La Coruna 0 Real Zaragoza 0

Osasuna 0 Almeria 0

Real Sociedad 1 (Prieto 57) Villarreal 0

Racing Santander 0 Barcelona 3 (Messi 3, Iniesta 33, Villa 62)

Real Mallorca 0 Real Madrid