Two second-half goals from the Spanish first division's top scorer Samuel Eto'o secured the three points after a shaky start.

"Getafe's goal served to wake us up. In this respect, the team know how to suffer in order to win," reflected Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard.

Barca move one step closer to their second successive Primera Liga title, and their 18th in total, with a 14-point advantage over their nearest rivals Real Madrid ahead of the rest of the midweek matches.

Barca's fans, packing the Nou Camp close to its 98,000 capacity, clearly believe the title is already in their grasp and spent the last 20 minutes noisily chanting, "Campeones, campeones."

Barcelona had to bounce back from an early shock when Nano Macedo latched onto a cross by Mario Cotelo and headed the visitors ahead from the edge of the six yard box after just four minutes.

Barca nearly equalised four minutes later when Ludovic Giuly hit the post. The hosts finally got on level terms after 21 minutes thanks to an own goal from Getafe defender Anibal Matellan.

A point-blank Giuly header hit the luckless Argentine, who was standing less than a metre out of the goal, on the chest and the ball edged past the outstretched arm of Getafe goalkeeper Luis Garcia.

Getafe could have easily come back into the game on the half hour but Barca got a lucky let-off when Nano found the net again but was questionably ruled offside.

Samuel Eto'o put the hosts ahead just six minutes after half time, sending a right foot shot home from 10 metres out after the outstanding Giuly had provided the service.

Eto'o then added his second of the night, 22nd of the season and 100th of his first division career, 21 minutes from time after Ronaldinho provided a defence-splitting pass to the African Player of the Year.