Barça slip re-opens title race

Barça slip re-opens title race

Sunday, 22 April 2007

The Primera División title race took another twist on Sunday as Sevilla FC closed to within a point of the summit after Robert Pirès scored his first goal for Villarreal CF to dent FC Barcelona's ambitions of retaining their crown.
Pirès joy

Pirès has endured a frustrating season. Sidelined for much of it with a serious knee injury, he was sent off in only his third substitute appearance against Club Atlético de Madrid a fortnight ago. The 33-year-old returned from suspension to make his full debut against Barcelona and immediately set about making up for lost time as he broke the deadlock ten minutes after half-time, finishing crisply after being sent clear.
Tight battle

There was no way back for Barça as goalkeeper Sebastián Viera proved impenetrable, brilliantly denying Eidur Gudjohnsen on 75 minutes before Marcos García doubled the deficit with six minutes remaining. There was still time for Ronaldinho to rattle the crossbar with a free-kick but Villarreal held on for a 2-0 victory which leaves Barcelona casting nervous glances over their shoulders at Real Madrid CF and Sevilla.
Sevilla saunter

The Andalusian side are just a point behind after scoring four second-half goals in a 4-1 victory at home to Athletic Club Bilbao, despite Luis Fabiano missing an early penalty. He made amends, teeing up goals for Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Ernesto Chevanton either side of Antonio Puerta's 53rd-minute strike before rounding off the win himself. Fran Yeste scored Athletic's consolation, yet it did not detract from the result as Sevilla rose above Madrid into second.
Espanyol drama

Another Brazilian striker was in inspired mood for fourth-placed Real Zaragoza, as Ewerthon scored two in four second-half minutes to beat RC Celta de Vigo. There were also two goals in it as RC Recreativo de Huelva overcame Real Racing Club Santander 4-2 to steal a march in the race for UEFA Cup spots. RCD Mallorca and RC Deportivo La Coruña were also victorious while the matches between UD Levante and Getafe CF (1-1), and RCD Espanyol and Real Betis Balompié (2-2) ended in draws – the latter after four dismissals and a 90th-minute Raúl Tamudo equaliser.
Valladolid promoted

The result leaves Betis four points above the drop zone, though one team assured of top-flight football next season are runaway Segunda División leaders Real Valladolid after guaranteeing themselves a top-three finish by extending their unbeaten run to 28 matches on Sunday.
©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.