Racist chants mar Barca win

 Barcelona reeled off their seventh successive win to reach the summit of the Spanish Primera Liga but their 4-1 win at Malaga was marred by racism directed at their Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.

African forward Eto'o was subjected to monkey chants by the home fans at the La Rosaleda on Saturday before being booed when he was substituted late on as racism reared its ugly head once again.
 
Eto'o, 27, has become a major figure in football's bid to kick racism out of the game after being on the receiving end of racist remarks in the past.

Past abuse
 
In February 2006, Eto'o had wanted to leave the pitch in a 2-0 victory against Real Zaragoza after being forced to listen to monkey cries and dodge peanuts thrown at him.

Then coach Frank Rijkaard persuaded him to go on and Zaragoza were fined $11,500.

The Eto'o incidents come just after a Spanish website targeted McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton with racist abuse.

Messi seals points
 
Eto'o was not on the scoresheet in Barca's 4-1 win, with Spain's Euro 2008 hero Xavi Hernandez and a sixth goal of the season from Argentine Lionel Messi sealing the points.

Barcelona's next match is at home on Tuesday when they face FC Basel in the Champions League looking to continue their perfect start in Europe.
 
In the league Barca go a point clear of Villarreal at the top with the latter also winning 4-1 over Athletic Bilbao to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

"It was pretty difficult because of the state of the pitch," Barca defender Gerard Pique told Marca Radio.

"But that's no excuse, we have to be able to win anywhere and we showed we can do that."

Barca have 22 points from nine matches, one ahead of Villarreal.

Rossi drives in

Former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi opened the scoring for Villarreal after 24 minutes, driving in a low, left-foot shot from the edge of the area.

Villarreal's lead lasted four minutes as Joseba Etxebarria headed home from a tight angle but Robert Pires, Santi Cazorla and Jozy Altidore netted second-half goals to make sure of the points.

Valencia are third with 20 points after losing 4-2 at home to struggling Racing Santander - who had only previously scored five goals all season.

Mohamed Tchite scored a hat-trick to down the former league leaders, with David Villa and Joaquin hitting consolations for the home side.

Aguero returns

Elsewhere, Sergio Aguero celebrated his return with a first-half double as Atletico Madrid beat Real Mallorca 2-0.

The Argentine's first was a superb 13th-minute lob over the keeper, and Aguero doubled the lead just before the half hour, tapping in from close range after good work from Antonio Lopez.
 
Real Madrid, fourth on 19 points, visit Almeria on Sunday.