Title beckons for Barcelona after derby win
Sunday, May 8, 2011
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FC Barcelona require just one more point to end suspense in the Spanish Liga title race after downing neighbours RCD Espanyol 2-0 to stay eight points clear of Real Madrid CF.
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FC Barcelona need just one more point to secure their third successive Liga title after seeing off city neighbours RCD Espanyol 2-0 to remain eight points clear of Real Madrid CF.
The UEFA Champions League finalists went ahead courtesy of a clinical finish from Andrés Iniesta close to the half-hour mark and they doubled their advantage when centre-back Gerard Piqué slotted in from close range shortly after the interval. Buoyed by their superior head-to-head record against Madrid, Josep Guardiola's men can now clinch their 21st Spanish crown by avoiding defeat at Levante UD on Wednesday.
In fourth, Villarreal CF failed to keep pace with the team above them, Valencia CF, as they could only draw 0-0 at RCD Mallorca. The Yellow Submarine lie five points shy of third with three fixtures remaining. In Sunday's late game, CA Osasuna climbed out of the bottom three and up to 14th place after coming from behind to win 3-1 at Real Zaragoza, who are now level on points with 18th-placed RC Deportivo La Coruña. Second-half strikes by Javier Camuñas, Sergio Fernández and Kike Sola turned the match on its head.