Madrid cut gap as Barca, Atletico drop points
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E-mail Xinhua, January 20, 2014
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Barcelona lost ground in the La Liga title race as they drew 1-1 at a well-organized Levante side. |
Real Madrid moved to within one point of the top of the BBVA Primera Liga as both FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid dropped points in matchday 20 of the season.
The first game of the second half of the campaign saw the joint leaders slip. Atletico failed to beat an in-form Sevilla despite going ahead through a David Villa goal after 18 minutes.
That goal could have made Atletico leaders, but in a tight game, Juanfran's shirt pull on Carlos Bacca with 15 minutes remaining led to Sevilla equalizing from the penalty spot and although Alberto Moreno was harshly sent off in the closing moments, Sevilla held on for a well-deserved draw.
Barcelona dropped points for the second week in succession as they were held 1-1 in Valencia by Levante, who they had beaten 7-0 in the opening game of the season.
Levante were clearly fired up for revenge and took the lead after 11 minutes when Loukas Vyntra scored following a corner.
Despite the presence of Leo Messi in attack, Barca were below their best and were not helped by a heavy pitch following rainfall in Valencia and although Gerard Pique equalized soon afterwards, when Barca did create chances they were denied by the excellent Keylor Navas in the Levante goal.
Navas pulled off one incredible double save in the second half to keep the scores level, but Levante deserved their point, while Barca looked short of ideas.
The two teams will meet again this week in the Copa del Rey knockout competition.
Real Madrid, who played on Saturday had put the pressure on their rivals when they won 5-0 away to a hapless Betis to move level on points with FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
Real Madrid were in control from the moment Cristiano Ronaldo drilled home a powerful right foot shot from 25 yards after just 10 minutes and the goals continued to arrive at regular intervals against a rival which was unable to manage a single shot on goal all game.
Gareth Bale's free kick doubled the lead as Betis goalkeeper Stefan Anderson stood rooted to the spot and Karim Benzema netted his 10th goal of the season with the last kick of the first half.
In the second half Angel Di Maria scored from distance to add a fourth and Alvaro Morata poked home a fifth in the last minute to round off what will probably be Madrid's easiest game of the season.
Betis sacked coach Carlos Garrido on Sunday after their humiliating defeat.
In the battle for the other European places, Villarreal moved temporarily into fourth place after an easy win over Almeria. Uche and Bruno Soriano sealed a comfortable win against a rival that has conceded 10 goals without reply in a week,
Meanwhile Real Sociedad surrendered a 2-0 lead away to Getafe after Imanol Aguirretxe had given them a comfortable lead. Ciprian Miicha pulled a goal back and Pedro Leon assured a draw as Getafe reacted well following a dreadful first 30 minutes.
Elche took a big step wards safety at the expense of Rayo Vallecano in a match marked by the sending off of Ray's Raul Baena for conceding a 17th minute penalty.
Albacar converted the spot kick and Elche dominated the game and sealed the points with Javi Marquez's shot in the 80th minute put the definitive 2-0 on the scoreboard.
Granada and Osasuna put a dull 0-0 on the scoreboard which will just about suite both sides' interests, while Sergio Garcia's late goals gave his side three points at home to Celta Vigo.
Athletic Club Bilbao entertain struggling Valladolid on Monday night.
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