Setback for the teams on a roll

Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of the Primera Liga to seven points on Saturday with a confident 2-0 win against Real Mallorca whi...

Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of the Primera Liga to seven points on Saturday with a confident 2-0 win against Real Mallorca while arch-rivals Real Madrid slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by Athletic Bilbao.

Barca disposed of Hector Cuper’s Mallorca at the Nou Camp after an early penalty save by Victor Valdes was followed by two fine individual strikes by Portugal midfielder Deco.

In-form Bilbao put an end to Real’s seven-match winning streak under Brazilian coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo thanks to a bullet header from fullback Asier del Horno and a cool finish from young midfielder Andoni Iraola.

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It was Real’s first defeat since Luxemburgo took charge at the end of last year and their third loss this season at the Bernabeu. Sevilla missed the chance to consolidate their position in third place when they lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad, striker Darko Kovacevic snatching a late winner after good work in the area.

The results mean Barca lead the standings with 57 points from 24 games, Real follow on 50, while Sevilla are nine points further back on 41. (Reuters)

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