Barcelona, Real Madrid win in La Liga action
Last Updated: Saturday, November 7, 2009 | 7:22 PM ET
The Associated Press
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, left, celebrates with teammate Gonzalo Higuain. (Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty Images)Barcelona rediscovered its scoring touch in a 4-2 win over Mallorca while Real Madrid kept pace with the defending Spanish league champion by holding on to beat city neighbour Atletico Madrid 3-2 on Saturday.
Pedro Rodriguez curled a shot around Dudu Aouate to give home side Barcelona the lead in the 11th minute and responded to Jose Nunes' 20th-minute equalizer by pouncing on a rebound just before halftime, after three straight saves by the Mallorca goalkeeper.
Thierry Henry headed home his first league goal of the season in the 44th and Lionel Messi scored a late penalty as Barcelona, coming off two low-key draws, ensured it stayed one point ahead of Madrid after 10 games.
Real's Kaka curled in a long-range shot five minutes into the Spanish capital derby and fellow Brazilian Marcelo scored from a tight angle in the 25th.
Gonzalo Higuain added a second-half goal before home side Atletico started its late rally behind Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero, but Atletico couldn't snap a 10-year home winless streak against its north Madrid neighbour.
Barcelona has 26 points while has Madrid 25. Deportivo La Coruna beat Getafe 2-0 to join Sevilla in third with 19 points. Valencia is next with 18, one ahead of Mallorca. Atletico stayed 18th with seven points.
Miguel Angel (Mista) Ferrer scored a goal and set up Filipe Luis for the other as Deportivo ultimately hung on with nine men to continue its impressive start to the season with a 2-0 win at Getafe.
Also on Saturday, Malaga rallied to draw 2-2 against Tenerife.
