Spanish league title race tigtens up

The race for the La Liga between league leaders, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid got a lot closer on Saturday after Real Madrid won their game, but Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw away to Sevilla.

Barca had kicked off in Sevilla knowing they needed to win away to a side that had not lost in front of their fans in 31 league matches in order to maintain their 4-point advantage at the top of the table over Real Madrid, who had already won their game.

Things had started perfectly for Barca, who played perhaps their best 30 minutes football of the season and took a 2-goal lead through Leo Messi and a Neymar free kick in the first half and hour. Sevilla got a lifeline seven minutes before the break when Claudio Bravo failed to keep out Ever Banega's 30-yard shot and the home team dominated the second half with a magnificent display of physical football.

They got their reward six minutes from time when substitute Kevin Gameiro swept home Alex Vidal's cross after Jose Antonio Reyes had intercepted Pique's pass from defense.

Real Madrid opened the day with a comfortable win at home to Eibar, who managed just one shot on target all game, despite Real Madrid resting a host of players with an eye to Tuesday's Champions League tie away to Atletico Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the score with a free kick after 21 minutes, but visiting keeper, Xabi Irureta should have done more to keep a weak shot out of his goal.

Javier Hernandez, enjoying a rare start, doubled their lead with a well-placed header from an Alvaro Arbeloa cross ten minutes later and Jese Rodriguez rounded off the scoring with just seven minutes remaining.

Atletico Madrid didn't rest any players for what was a far tougher looking trip away to seventh placed Malaga, although they took the lead after 25 minutes thanks to Antoine Griezmann's 17th league goal of the season.

A Fernando Torres own goal and a smart finish from Samu turned the score into Malaga's favor, but Griezmann's second of the game, scored from a clear offside position assured a share of the points which is of no great help to either side.

Rao Vallecano scored after 23 seconds away to Celta Vigo, but lost 6-1 as 19 year-old Celta striker Santi Mina scored four goals and his companion Juaquin Larrivey, a former Rayo striker scored two more.

Finally Almeria won a relegation duel 3-0 against Granada thanks to two goals from Thomas Partay and another from Espinosa. The result leaves Granada in deep trouble and coach Abel Resino in danger of the sack. Endi