Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o Fils helped Barcelona continue their impressive start to the Spanish season with an emphatic 3-1 win over Real Mallorca. African Player of the Year Eto’o grabbed a first half double to help Barca to a 3-1 win at his former side Real Mallorca on Sunday.
It was Eto’o’s second two-goal haul in less than a week after his efforts against Real Zaragoza on Thursday.
Given the wealth of attacking talent at their disposal Barcelona never needed to find top gear as they brushed aside a sorry-looking Mallorca.
Henrik Larsson, whose roots are in Cape Verde, atoned for an early miss when he steered in from point-blank range after midfielder Xavi miscued a shot from the right of the area in the 10th minute.
The visitors were then gifted a chance to extend their lead in the 38th minute when defender Sergio Ballesteros conceded a penalty after colliding with Ronaldinho.
Former Mallorca favourite Eto’o rushed up to grab the ball and netted the spot kick, although he refrained from celebrating the goal against his former team mates.
The Indomitable Lions striker rubbed salt in the wound, however, when he grabbed a second two minutes later, snapping up a neat pass from Larsson, clipping the ball over the keeper and guiding it into the empty net.
Barca eased up after the break and coach Frank Rijkaard could even afford the luxury of taking Eto’o off midway through the half so that he could enjoy an ovation from the Mallorca fans.
Mallorca claimed a late consolation when Andrija Delibasic guided in after a neat assist from Luis Garcia.
Barcelona and Valencia are the only two unbeaten sides in the league and are level at the top of the table on 13 points from five games, but Valencia lead the standings on goals scored.
