( dpa ) - Villarreal cruised to the top of the Spanish Liga on Wednesday with a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Racing Santander.
The "Yellow Submarine" sunk Santander within the space of five minutes in the first half, thanks to the energetic surges of veteran Angel Lopez down the right.
In the 28th minute Angel centred for Euro 2008 hero Joan Capdevila to break the deadlock with a powerful header. Five minutes later Joseba Etxeberria made it 2-0 by heading in another inviting Angel centre.
Villarreal took it easy in the second half, which is understandable given their forthcoming calendar.
"We have learned how to pace ourselves," said Angel afterwards. "We deliberately eased up towards the end, because we have many difficult games coming up."
Villarreal now have 10 points from four games, three more than Barcelona, Valencia, Espanyol and Almeria.
Barca continued their recovery by beating lowly Betis 3-2, on a late goal from supersub Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Josep Guardiola's slick side seemed to be cruising to an easy win, after Samuel Eto'o had given them a 2-0 half-time lead.
Eto'o had opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a ferocious near-post drive. Six minutes later Lionel Messi sliced open the Betis defence and centred for Eto'o to score his second from close range.
Barca relaxed after half-time and allowed lively Betis back into the game.
In the 58th minute newcomer Luciano Monzon gave the visitors hope by scoring with a low left-foot drive after a short free-kick. And eight minutes later veteran Jose Mari Romero silenced the Camp Nou by making it 2-2 on a pass from Sergio Garcia.
Barca were thus obliged to retake control, and did so quickly. Teenager Bojan Krkic twice came close. Eleven minutes from time Daniel Alves centred for Gudjohnsen to score the winner with a stretching half-volley.
"We should have closed the game down," said Alves. "We should never have allowed them back into it."
Wednesday's other early game was a dull 0-0 draw between Osasuna and Deportivo Coruna.
Later on Wednesday, Atletico Madrid have the chance of going above Barca into second place, if they win away to Getafe.
Real Madrid will also be on nine points if, as expected they beat bottom team Sporting Gijon at home.
Wednesday's other late game sees Sevilla at home to solid Espanyol.
