Barcelona continued their slide into mid-table obscurity after slumping to a 3-0 defeat away to a lively Racing Santander in the Primera Liga on Sunday.

The Catalans paid a heavy price for failing to cash in on their early domination and Racing took full advantage of some nervous keeping by Turkish international Rustu Recber to score three times in the second half.

The defeat leaves Frank Rijkaard's side in 12th place in the table, 18 points down on leaders Real Madrid, who edged a 1-0 win at home to Murcia on Saturday.

Real lead by five points from Valencia, but Rafa Benitez's side will have the chance to narrow the gap when they host Villarreal in Sunday's late match.

Deportivo Coruna, who handed Galician rivals Celta Vigo a humiliating 5-0 defeat on Saturday, are a point behind in third while Osasuna are a further eight points back in fourth after their 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao.

At the other end of the table last season's runners-up Real Sociedad ended a dramatic slump in form by coming from behind to earn a 2-1 win away to Malaga for their first victory in 10 Primera Liga outings.

The win was enough to lift Sociedad out of the relegation zone where they were replaced by Celta.

Basement side Espanyol also gained a morale-boosting victory on Sunday, ending a five-match losing streak with a 2-0 win at home to Real Mallorca in a game that featured an inspired double-strike from skipper Raul Tamudo.

Barca coach Rijkaard included Spanish youth internationals Andres Iniesta and Sergio Garcia and left Argentine striker Javier Saviola on the bench as he went in search of a winning formula at Racing.

His gamble looked as though it might pay off when the two youngsters created a host of early chances, but Racing keeper Ricardo pulled off two fine full-stretch saves.

Barca counterpart Rustu spilled a bobbling free kick from Mario Regueiro on 52 minutes and Racing defender Juanma was on hand to poke home from close range.

Xavi and Ronaldinho missed good chances to level the game midway through the half, but it was Racing who ended up scoring again thanks to a brilliant solo effort from Regueiro 10 minutes from time.

The Uruguayan winger turned Carles Puyol on the right-hand side of the area, spotted Rustu off his line and dinked a delicate chip over the keeper's head into the far corner.

Striker Javi Guerrero delivered the final blow, powering home a close-range header four minutes later.

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