Barça held in bid to topple Madrid

Barça held in bid to topple Madrid

FC Barcelona completed a wretched week when they surrendered the leadership of the Primera División to arch rivals Real Madrid CF after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Real Betis Balompié.
Late leveler

Barca, who saw their double dreams end when they were overwhelmed 4-0 by Getafe CF in the Spanish Cup in midweek, looked to be heading for a nervous win after Ronaldinho gave them an early lead from the penalty spot but Betis dashed their hopes of returning to the top of the table when Brazilian striker Rafael Sobis took advantage of some shaky defending to drill home at the near post a minute from time.
Real on summit

The result means that with four games left to play Madrid and Barça are level on 66 points but the nine-time European champions top the standings by virtue of having better head-to-head record in games between the two sides. It is the first time that Madrid have ended a round of matches at the top of the table since October 2005 and it follows their 4-3 victory at home to RCD Espanyol on Saturday, where they trailed 3-1 at half-time.
Sevilla primed

Sevilla FC are in third spot just two points behind the leaders after they warmed up for Wednesday's all-Spanish UEFA Cup final against Espanyol with a 2-1 win over RC Recreativo de Huelva on Saturday. Fourth-placed Valencia CF host fifth-placed Real Zaragoza in Sunday's late match in a contest that will go a long way to deciding which of the two teams earns a berth in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round next season.
Sociedad climb

Down at the bottom, Real Sociedad de Fútbol climbed above RC Celta de Vigo after a 3-1 victory at bottom club CG Tarragona, to leave them four points from safety behind fellow Basque side Athletic Club Bilbao, who drew 1-1 at home to RC Deportivo La Coruña. Levante UD won 2-1 at fellow strugglers Celta to ease their relegation fears.
Four stars

Club Atlético de Madrid boosted their chances of UEFA Cup qualification after an impressive 4-1 victory away to Getafe, while Villarreal CF won at CA Osasuna by the same emphatic scoreline thanks to a Diego Forlán hat-trick. RCD Mallorca, meanwhile, were 2-0 winners at Real Racing Club Santander.
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