Madrid: Goals from centre back Rafael Marquez and striker Samuel Eto’ gave Barcelona their third away win of the season when they beat Real Mallorca 2-0 in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

In the showdown of the third and fourth-placed teams, Espanyol won 3-0 at home to Villarreal to extend their unbeaten run to 14 matches. 6-4 last week,

Striker Raul Tamudo opened the scoring on nine minutes with a low shot. Midfielder Valdo flicked in the second after Luis Garcia had hit the bar before Tamudo took his tally for the season to 10 by heading home a 36th-minute corner.

Barca made a sluggish start against the islanders who were sharper for much of the first period. Mallorca striker Daniel Guiza gave the visitors an early scare when he sent a shot skidding past the post while midfielder Angelos Basinas lashed the ball wide midway through the half. The hosts continued to look dangerous at the start of the second period but Barca snatched the lead after 63 minutes when Marquez took advantage of slack marking to head a corner past keeper German Lux. (AGENCIES)