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Adriano strike boosts Barcelona

3 September 2012-PA Sport

Barcelona Primera Division Valencia

Another win ... Barcelona players celebrate Adriano's strike (Getty Images)

Barcelona retained the only 100 per cent record in Spain's Primera Division with a fine strike by Adriano sinking struggling Valencia 1-0.

Barca, beaten by rival Real Madrid in the Supercopa, could have beaten Manuel Pellegrino's side by more goals had Cesc Fabregas not failed to take two good chances.

Tito Vilanova almost saw his side pay for those missed chances as Roberto Soldado and Victor Ruiz both went close, the latter also having a goal disallowed for offside.

Real Madrid registered its first league victory of the season after a comfortable 3-0 win over Granada at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace, and substitute Gonzalo Higuain was also on target as Jose Mourinho's side ensured there was no hangover from its Supercopa success.

The visitor ended the game with 10 men after Borja Gomez was sent off for two yellow cards.

Levante netted a stoppage-time winner to cap a stunning comeback against Espanyol and earn its first Primera Division win of the campaign.

Espanyol had looked on course to claim its own maiden victory after establishing a 2-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes through fine efforts from northern summer signings Samuele Longo and Sergio Tejera.

However, Levante hit back at the start of the second half to draw level with quickfire goals from Juanlu and Christian Lell and then, despite losing striker Vicente Iborra to an 82nd-minute red card, the home side snatched the points when Michel's cross was deflected in three minutes into stoppage-time to cap a 3-2 win.

Athletic Bilbao put an end to its nightmare start to the season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Real Valladolid at San Mames.

Marcelo Bielsa's side had conceded nine goals in losing its first two games of the campaign, but put in a far more composed display and was rewarded 20 minutes from time when Aritz Aduriz stroked home his first league goal since returning to the club.

Markel Susaeta then sealed the points five minutes later when he curled beautifully into the top corner.

Sevilla missed two penalties as 10-man Rayo Vallecano clung on for a goalless draw to extend an unbeaten start to the Primera Division season.

Alvaro Negredo was first to miss from the spot on seven minutes after Jordi Amat had pulled down the Spain international inside the area, but he struck the post and the ball rebounded to safety.

But the visitor was handed another opportunity 20 minutes from time when Ivan Rakitic was brought down by Ruben Martinez.

The goalkeeper was shown a red card but his replacement Dani Gimenez did not even have to make a save as Rakitic pulled his penalty wide.

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