Barça brush aside Getafe

By Andy Hall

Primera División leaders FC Barcelona returned to winning ways as they sauntered to a 2-0 victory against Getafe CF to remain six points clear of Real Madrid CF, who won by the same scoreline at Levante UD.

Ronaldinho inspired
Barça have seen their lead reduced from eleven points to six over the past two rounds following a draw and a defeat but were rarely threatened tonight after Ronaldinho broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark, tucking a free-kick low inside the post. The Brazilian was instrumental in the second goal ten minutes after the restart too, delightfully picking out Ludovic Giuly with a measured pass that the Frenchman adroitly lifted over Francisco Sánchez Broto.

Motta return
Barça had chances to extend their lead as they played themselves back to form, and were further lifted by the return of Thiago Motta. The midfield player came on as a late substitute to made his first appearance since suffering knee ligament damage in September.

Inspirational Casillas
Iker Casillas was in inspirational form as Madrid won at Levante, making a magnificent reflex save after Alberto Rivera's shot had taken a deflection off Francisco Pavón. The early scare awoke a sleepy Madrid side and they took the lead on 38 minutes when Ronaldo rifled in Míchel Salgado's low cross.

Second-half chances
Madrid were more relaxed in the second half and nearly doubled their lead when Raúl González clipped the bar, before Alexis Suárez cleared off the line from Michael Owen. Casillas was in action again, tipping a Jofre shot over before Ronaldo calmed the side's nerves with six minutes remaining - racing on to Luís Figo's pass and rounding Juan Luis Mora before tapping into an empty net.

Villarreal held
Villarreal CF missed the opportunity to move third after they were held to a goalless draw by sixth-placed Real Betis Balompié. Valencia CF registered an identical result against former coach Héctor Cúper's RCD Mallorca side and lie seventh with 48 points, while Athletic Club Bilbao climbed to eighth after added-time goals from Pablo Orbaiz and Tiko earned a 2-0 win at Real Racing Club Santander.

Numancia plight
At the foot of the table, CD Numancia's hopes of escaping the drop zone were not helped by a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Real Zaragoza, while a point ahead, Albacete Balompié's troubles have also deepened following a 2-1 loss against Málaga CF.