Associated Press : Barcelona, Mon Feb 06 2012, 01:01 hrs
Real Madrid edged crosstown rival Getafe 1-0 as the league leaders maintained their seven-point cushion over defending champion Barcelona on a Saturday marked by near freezing temperatures across Spain.
Barcelona responded to Madrid’s victory with a 2-1 win of its own over Real Sociedad to stay undefeated at Camp Nou stadium this season. With Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola resting regulars for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semifinal against Valencia, Lionel Messi set up youth player Cristian Tello for Barcelona’s opener and then added another before Sociedad substitute Carlos Vela halved the deficit.
Madrid dominated possession at Alfonso Perez Coliseum, but Getafe — the only team to beat Barcelona in any competition this season — held firm in defense to keep alive its chances until the final whistle.