Henry plays a part as Barcelona career has successful start

Thierry Henry made his first competitive start for Barcelona last night in a comfortable home victory over Athletic Bilbao, but despite winning a winning a first-half penalty and hitting the post in the second, he could not get on the score sheet.

Barça's £16.1m summer signing was afforded a start after Samuel Eto'o limped off during last Wednesday's friendly against Internazionale with a thigh injury that will keep him out for three months.

Henry started on the left with Lionel Messi on the right of an attacking three spearheaded by captain Ronaldinho. The Brazilian, who was last week linked with Chelsea, put Barça ahead with a sublime free-kick in the seventh minute. He almost repeated his effort four minutes later.

The Basques, who only avoided a first relegation in their history on the final day of last season, were limited to long-distance efforts, while Henry improved as the game went on. He initially appeared off the pace and a little frustrated, but earned a 31st-minute penalty after playing a one-two with Ronaldinho and being brought down by Bilboa goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz . Ronaldinho converted the penalty.

This season marks Barça's 50th in the Nou Camp and optimism is high that Frank Rijkaard's side can win both La Liga and the European Cup. The Catalans appear to have spent well in the summer, acquiring Henry, French international left-back Eric Abidal, central defender Gabriel Milito from Real Zaragoza and midfielder Yaya Touré from Monaco.

While their intensity lessened in the second half, Henry continued to improve. He struck the post in the 59th minute after a thrilling combination with Abidal, but a minute later he was replaced, to great applause, by Giovanni Dos Santos.

The 18-year-old Mexican soon missed a great chance and it could have been costly when Athletic pulled a goal back through their impressive winger Markel Susaeta with 19 minutes to go.

However, Barça's two-goal cushion was restored two minutes later when Touré drove in a shot from 25 yards which struck the bar and bounced down. It did not appear to fully cross the line.

Rafael Marquez was dismissed for a second yellow card in the 78th minute and Athletic's Lertxundi Koikili followed him with a straight red card for a foul on Dos Santos almost immediately after.