Barcelona and Real Madrid returned to action in the Primera Liga after the Christmas break with disappointing performances yesterday.

Champions Barcelona scrambled a barely deserved 1-1 at Getafe, while Real slumped to a second defeat in a row when they went down 2-0 against struggling Deportivo.

Midfielder Xavi got Barca out of jail with a superbly struck free-kick to cancel out an opportunist goal by Getafe striker Daniel Guiza who had cashed in on a howling error by Mexican centre back Rafael Marquez.

Depor, who had not won in nine games and had conceded 10 goals without reply in their last three, outclassed a rudderless Real Madrid who have not won at the Riazor in over 15 years.

The results mean Sevilla stay top of the pile with 37 points from 17 games despite their 2-1 defeat at Zaragoza on Saturday.

Barca, who have a game in hand but have won just once in their last four outings, are two points adrift of the leaders but remain three ahead of third-placed Real.

Results: A. Madrid vs Gimnastic 0-0; Real Sociedad vs Osasuna 2-1; Real Zaragoza vs Sevilla 2-1; Getafe vs Barcelona 1-1; Levante vs R. Santander 2-0; Espanyol vs R. Huelva 0-1; Real Mallorca vs A. Bilbao 1-3; Real Betis vs Celta Vigo 1-0; Deportivo vs Real Madrid 2-0.

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