MADRID, March 30 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona maintained a three-point lead over Real Madrid and moved nine clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga with a 4-1 win at home to Girona on Sunday.

Barca went into the game under pressure following Real Madrid's home victory over Leganes on Saturday, and Hansi Flick saw how his side, which was without Brazilian star Raphinha, had to work hard to break down a resolute Girona defense in the first half.

Barca had a stroke of luck to open the score in the 43rd minute when Lamine Yamal's free kick took a deflection off Ladislav Krejci, but after Arnaut Danjuma leveled after a good pass from Daley Blind early in the second half, the home side took control.

Robert Lewandowski put Barca back ahead with an instinctive finish to flick the ball past goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, and doubled the lead after excellent work from Frenkie de Jong.

Ferran Torres rounded off the win with a good finish after a cross from left-back Gerard Martin.

Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna drew 0-0 in San Mames in a game where the home side had more of the ball, but was unable to break down a well-drilled Osasuna defense.

Villarreal kept up hopes of a top-four finish with a 2-1 win away to Getafe.

Ayoze Perez continued his excellent season with Villarreal's opening goal after 15 minutes, and although a bad defensive error allowed Carles Perez to equalize in the 29th minute, Thierno Barry scored a spectacular volley just four minutes later and Villarreal was able to keep Getafe at arm's length in the second half.

Real Betis remains sixth after a morale-boosting 2-1 win in a feisty Seville derby, coming back from a goal down to beat Sevilla.

Ruben Vargas fired Sevilla ahead with a powerful shot from inside the penalty area in the 17th minute, but the lead lasted just eight minutes before Johnny Cardoso leveled with a volley from the right of the penalty area.

Isco then threaded the ball through for Cucho Hernandez to prod in Betis' second on the stroke of halftime, but later saw a yellow card that will stop him from playing Barcelona next week.

Diego Lopez's 50th-minute goal helped Valencia win 1-0 at home to Mallorca and continue to climb away from the relegation zone. Enditem

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