Barca reiterate claim to title

The victory puts the pressure on second-placed Real Madrid, who also went out of the Champions League in midweek after a 2-0 extra-time defeat at Juventus. Real make the short trip across the Spanish capital to play modest neighbours Getafe on Sunday, a game they must win if they are to keep alive any hopes of overhauling their arch-rivals.

Real Betis moved up to fourth in the standings, level on points with Espanyol but nine behind Real Madrid, after a 2-1 win away to Malaga in Saturday’s late match.

Early strikes from centre-back Juanito and midfielder Edu set the visitors on their way to an important win that kept them in the hunt for the Champions League places.

Barca made a nervous start, failing to settle into their fluent passing game in the face of the pressure from the visitors. It was the Basque side who carried the greater threat in the first quarter of an hour, causing problems for the Barca defence from a succession of corners and two free kicks.

Barca eventually sprang into life in the 16th minute when Ronaldinho threaded a perfect through ball into the path of Giuly who drew the keeper and laid off a pass to Samuel Eto’O, but the African Player of the Year tripped over the ball and wasted a golden opportunity to open the scoring.

Eto’O’s wastefulness was quickly forgotten when Deco gave the Catalans the lead after the Bilbao defence had backed off as he approached the area four minutes later. The Portugal midfielder tried his luck from 20 metres and Aranzubia was Left stranded when his drive deflected off Prieto. Barca took complete control following the goal and had several chances to extend their lead before Giuly scored with a superb strike six minutes before the break.

Frank Rijkaard’s side eased up in the second half but keeper Victor Valdes made sharp saves to twice deny Joseba Etxeberria just after the hour and snuff out any hopes of a fightback.

— Reuters