A first-half goal from Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez was enough to give his side a 1-0 win at home to Almeria and return it to the top of the BBVA Primera Liga. Pedro received a pass with his back to goal after 31 minutes, turned his marker and beat Almeria goalkeeper Diego Alves with a curling shot.
It was one of the few memorable moments in a dull match as a tired looking Barcelona did just enough top win against a defensive rival that showed little in attack
Almeria had clearly remembered the 5-0 hammering suffered in the Camp Nou last season, when all of the goals arrived before the break and coach Hug Sanchez sent out a side with the clear aim of trying to defend a 0-0 draw.
Barcelona enjoyed around 70 percent of the possession, but lacked the spark to score a second goal against a well organized, but unambitious rival.
The Catalans have now collected 18 points after winning every one of their six league matches to date.
Deportivo la Coruna earlier kicked off the weekend with a 1-0 win away to Tenerife. A Diego Colotto header after 60 minutes decided a dull game. The result temporarily lifts Deportivo into fourth place in the table.
Finally Atletico Madrid won its first game of the season 2-1 at home to Zaragoza.
18-year-old goalkeeper David de Gea was the hero of the match. Atletico' s third choice goalkeeper made his home debut and saved a penalty and made a vital late save to ensure his side's triumph.
Jose Jurado scored after just two minutes and Antonio Lopez scored a second half free kick, before Ewerthon scored Zaragoza's second penalty of the night to bring his side back into the game.