Barcelona stretch advantage as Atlético slip up

Club Atlético de Madrid dropped points for just the second time this season, allowing FC Barcelona to put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack at the top of the Spanish Liga.

With just a point separating the country's two leading sides at the start of the day, second-placed Atlético failed to put pressure on Barça as they were held 1-1 by Villarreal CF. Mario Gaspar turned into his own goal to put the Rojiblancos ahead in the second minute, but the same fate befell Atlético defender Juanfran 11 minutes from time as Diego Simeone's men lost momentum.

That allowed Barcelona to stretch their advantage to three points in the weekend's final game, Neymar and Pedro Rodríguez putting the Blaugrana 2-0 up at the interval at Real Betis Balompié, despite the loss of Lionel Messi to injury in the 22nd minute. Markus Steinhöfer struck the post for the hosts after half-time, but a Cesc Fàbregas double made the game safe and sealed a 4-1 win, with Jorge Molina hitting an added-time penalty for the home side.

Also on Sunday, Sevilla FC overtook RCD Espanyol in the standings as Federico Fazio, Víctor Machín and Carlos Bacca registered in a 3-1 win against Javier Aguirre's side, who had Víctor Sánchez dismissed, while Valencia CF twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at home against Real Valladolid CF.