FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.02.2008 21:31

Eto'o back on form

After being away in the African Nations Cup, the Cameroon player couldn’t have had a better return to Nou Camp scoring his first league hat-trick for the club.

The last time Samuel Eto'o played at Nou Camp was against Murcia, when he scored two goals. After a month away in the African Nations Cup, Eto’o returned to the stadium in the starting eleven.

8 goals in 7 games

What’s more, till now Levante has been a good team for Eto’o to play against, as he’s scored in every game against them. With Sunday’s hat-trick Eto'o continues his good run against the Valencian club. Also impressive is the fact that he has now scored 8 goals in the last 7 league games.

First league hat-trick

Since his arrival at Nou Camp in 2004/05, Eto’o has been a proficient goal-scorer, but it has taken him four years to get his first league hat-trick. It wasn’t the first time a Barça player has scored a hat-trick this season, and curiously, Henry got three against Levante in the first half of the season.

Xavi, best season for goals

Yet it was midfielder Xavi Hernández who opened the score line, netting a dead ball after brilliant play from Iniesta and Eto'o in creating the chance in the 14th minute. With this goal, Xavi now has 5 league goals – his personal best in a Barça shirt.

Since his arrival at Barça, Xavi had only scored a maximum of four league goals, in the seasons 2001/02 and 2003/04.