Atletico take huge step towards title with Valencia win
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E-mail Xinhua, April 28, 2014
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Raúl García celebrates scoring Atlético's winner. |
Atletico Madrid took a giant stride towards clinching the BBVA Primera Liga title on Sunday with a 1-0 win away to Valencia.
Raul Garcia's first half header was enough to give Diego Simeone's side three vital points which keeps them six ahead of Real Madrid with just three games to play.
Real Madrid have a game in hand but Atletico can afford to lose one of their remaining games as their superior head to head goal difference gives them the advantage if the two sides finishing level on points.
Atletico were below their best in a game played three days before their Champions League semi-final visit to play Chelsea and ended with 10 men when Juanfran was shown a red card, but the battling spirit which has served them all season again saw them to a vital win.
It was an emotional night for FC Barcelona who visited Villarreal just 48 hours after the death of former coach Tito Vilanova.
Perhaps unsurprisingly Barca started slowly and fell 2-0 behind to goals from Cani and Miguel Trigeros, before two own goals, both following balls from Dani Alves levelled the scores with 12 minutes to go and Leo Messi won the game with a goal he dedicated to Vilanova with eight minutes remaining.
Meanwhile Real Madrid also remained in the title race with a comfortable 4-0 win at home to Osasuna on Saturday night.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first two goals, the second of which was a stunning diagonal shot into the corner of the net, before Sergio Ramos scored Madrid's third with a header, while full back Dani Carvajal finished off the rout.
Sunday also saw Athletic Club Bilbao take a huge stride towards qualifying for next season's Champions League thanks to a 3-1 in at home to Sevilla.
In an incredible atmosphere in Athletic's San Mames Stadium, Athletic took the lead through Markel Susaeta after four minutes and second half goals from Iker Muniain and Ander Herrera put the game out of reach before Kevin Gameiro's late consolation for the visitors.
Athletic are six clear of Sevilla and have a superior head to head goal difference with just three games to play.
Almeria produced a shock 2-1 win away to mid-table Espanyol to keep their hopes of avoiding relegation alive. Suso scored a fine free kick to give Francisco Rodriguez's side a vital three points.
Saturday saw Getafe climbed out of the bottom three with only their second win since November. Adrian Colunga scored the only goal of the game in the first half and Getafe hung on despite having striker Ciprian Marica sent off in the 36th minute of the game.
Getafe's win meant that Betis were mathematically condemned to relegation before their home game against Real Sociedad had even kicked off and given the atmosphere it was hardly surprising that the visitors took all three points thanks to a first half penalty from Carlos Vela.
In contrast to Betis, Rayo Vallecano assured they will be in the Primera Liga next season as they won 3-0 away to Granada.
Second half goals from Saul Niguez, Joaquin Larriey and Seba Fernandez lift Rayo onto 43 points to culminate a fantastic run which has seen them lose only one of their last 10 matches.
Granada meanwhile still have work to do in order to assure their top flight status for another season and face a difficult trip to San Sebastian next weekend.
The round of games kicked off on Friday night as Elche were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Levante. The result means Levante are mathematically safe from relegation while Elche have to suffer for another week as they battle to retain their top-flight status.
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