Barca take another step towards Spanish title

MADRID: FC Barcelona took another step towards the title as they came back from a goal down to win 2-1 at home against Sevilla in a Primera Liga match at the Camp Nou here. The win keeps Barca (66 points) eight points clear of Atletico Madrid, who are second, and with a 12 point advantage over Real Madrid in third, while equalling the record of 34-game unbeaten streak in the Spanish league on Sunday evening, reports Xinhua. Vitolo put Sevilla in front after 20 minutes, but Lionel Messi scored with a stunning free kick to level matters 11 minutes later. Gerard Pique gave Barca the win with a close range finish three minutes after the break. Goalkeeper Sergio Rico kept Sevilla in with a chance until the final whistle with a series of magnificent saves. Villarreal took a big step towards assuring Champions League football next season with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to struggling Levante. Villarreal rested key players after their Europa League win in Naples, but brushed aside their rivals with goals from Leo Baptistao, Samu Castellejo and Adrian Lopez, who scored his first goal for the club three minutes into the second half. Levante’s bad day was complete when David Navarro was sent off for a second yellow card with 30 minutes left to play. Celta Vigo strengthened their grip of sixth place as Nolito returned from injury to score his ninth goal of the season and inflict Getafe’s sixth consecutive defeat. Athletic Club Bilbao rested six key players after their Europa League tie during the week but still won 3- 0 away to Valencia. The game was an even affair until the 73rd minute when Sabin Merino opened the scoring with a header. Iker Muniain sealed the win with his first goal since recovering from a knee operation, three minutes later and Aritz Aduriz’s 27th goal of the campaign put the icing on the cake with 10 minutes remaining. (IANS)