Barcelona moved back to the top of La Liga by beating
Sevilla 4-1, while Levante dented Real Sociedad's top-four hopes in a 0-0 draw.
Thanks to Almeria's 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid on
Saturday, Barcelona went into their game on Sunday knowing victory would secure
a return to the summit, and the reigning champions rode their luck to claim
three points.
Sevilla deservedly took the lead in the 15th minute as
Marc Bartra deflected an Alberto Moreno shot past Victor Valdes.
Carlos Bacca hit the post with a header and Ivan Rakitic
missed the target following a counter-attack as Sevilla continued to impress,
but Barcelona soon punished their opponents' wastefulness.
Alexis Sanchez grabbed a controversial equaliser, heading
home a free-kick with the back of his head from what appeared to be an offside
position, and Lionel Messi put the visitors ahead just before half-time.
Sevilla continued to spurn chances and were ultimately
well beaten as Messi and substitute Cesc Fabregas added further goals to give
Barca a somewhat flattering margin of victory.
Real Sociedad's bid to finish in the top four for a
second consecutive season was harmed as 10th-placed Levante held firm in San
Sebastian.
The hosts dominated much of the match, but found Levante
goalkeeper Keylor Navas in inspired form.
Costa Rica international Navas has put in eye-catching
performances against both Barcelona and Sevilla recently. On Sunday, he
continually kept Carlos Vela at bay to earn his side a point.
Osasuna's survival chances received another boost
courtesy of a 2-0 win over Getafe at El Sadar, taking them level on 25 points
with their visitors.
Oriol Riera got the hosts off to a flier as he netted in
the sixth minute and a clinching second goal arrived with two minutes remaining
when Roberto Torres found the net.
A second-half double from Humberto Osorio salvaged a
point for Real Valladolid at home to Elche, but the former remain three points
from safety.
Coro got the game's first goal just after the half-hour
mark and Manu del Moral seemed to have secured three points for Elche in the
66th minute.
However, Colombian Osorio had other things in mind as he
scored twice in the final 19 minutes to earn Valladolid a point.
Culled from Soccerway
