Photo: FC Barcelona’s Pedro Rodriguez, left, scores his goal under pressure of Getafe’s Juan Valera, right, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013.
———————————————————————————————————————–
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Pedro Rodriguez filled in for
Barcelona’s missing star forwards by netting a hat trick in 10 minutes
before setting up Cesc Fabregas twice as the visitors erased a two-goal
deficit in a wild 5-2 win at Getafe on Sunday.
Barcelona’s entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and five points behind its title rivals.
Pedro crossed for Fabregas to score his first goal in the 68th before
Pedro provoked a penalty in the 72nd that Fabregas converted to secure
the result. In his fifth season with Barcelona’s first team, the
26-year-old Pedro has settled for a role of reserve player with the
occasional start. Despite his limited playing time, Pedro’s second
treble of the season made him Barcelona’s leading scorer in the league
with 10 goals, tied for fourth best overall.
“I’m happy, confident and taking advantage of the opportunities my coach gives me,” Pedro said. “The game was difficult. We didn’t play well in the first few minutes, but we switched it on and pulled out the win.”
Also, Athletic Bilbao beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 at San Mames to strengthen its hold on fourth place. Espanyol routed Valladolid 4-2 for its first win at home in four rounds, and Celta Vigo salvaged a 1-1 draw at home with Osasuna after Manuel “Lolo” Ortiz scored an own goal to cancel out teammate Emiliano Armenteros’ opener.
Barcelona’s entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and five points behind its title rivals.
With
Barcelona’s strike-duo Lionel Messi and Neymar unavailable, Getafe
surged forward from the start and stunned the visitors’ shaky defense
with two goals in 15 minutes. But Pedro led the comeback by scoring in
the 34th, 41st and 43rd minutes to swing the match in Barcelona’s favor
before halftime.
“I’m happy, confident and taking advantage of the opportunities my coach gives me,” Pedro said. “The game was difficult. We didn’t play well in the first few minutes, but we switched it on and pulled out the win.”
Also, Athletic Bilbao beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 at San Mames to strengthen its hold on fourth place. Espanyol routed Valladolid 4-2 for its first win at home in four rounds, and Celta Vigo salvaged a 1-1 draw at home with Osasuna after Manuel “Lolo” Ortiz scored an own goal to cancel out teammate Emiliano Armenteros’ opener.