Real Madrid win Clasico as Villarreal tighten grip on fourth

Real Madrid defeated FC Barcelona 2-1 in the Clasico in the Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday night.

Barca took the lead in on what was an emotional but disappointing game in terms of football, early in the second half with a Gerard Pique header, but Karim Benzema equalized shortly after the hour after good work from man of the match, Marcelo and Tony Kroos.

With Barca looking uncharacteristically slow and flat in a game meant to be a homage to club legend, Johan Cruyff, Madrid were able to wait for errors and look to hit them on the break and were rewarded six minutes from time when Ronaldo was given time to control Bale's cross before scoring with a right foot volley to end Barca's record 39-game unbeaten run.

Atletico Madrid ensured they remain second and move to within six points of Barca with a very comfortable 5-1 win at home to Betis.

Fernando Torres opened the scoring in the 36th minute before Antoine Griezmann scored twice and right back Juanfran got his first goal in three years, while Thomas Teye added to his reputation as Atletico coach Diego Simeone rested key players in the second half ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League quarter-final in Barcelona.

Villarreal came back from a goal down to win 2-1 away to Eibar and strengthen their grip on fourth place in the table.

Ander Capa put Eibar ahead after 22 minutes and the home side were dominating proceedings under Adrian Lopez tapped home a simple equalizer 10 minutes from half time and a controversial goal from Roberto Soldado, who looked to be offside, gave the points to Marcelino Garcia's side.

Athletic Club Bilbao took the lead though Inigo Lekue and hit the woodwork three times with Aritz Aduriz missing a penalty but could only draw 1-1 at home to Granada who rode their luck and scored with their only shot on target 12 minutes from time through young striker Adalberto Penaranda to take a vital point in their battle against relegation.

Markel Bergara put Real Sociedad ahead after just 2 minutes as Real Sociedad ended Sevilla's impressive run of 17 consecutive home wins with a 2-1 defeat.

Grzegorz Krychoviak netted an own goal to double Real Sociedad's lead before the break. A Kevin Gameiro penalty brought Sevilla back into the game and after Bergara was sent off with 22 minutes remaining the home side laid siege to the Real goal, but it was not to be.

Pepe Diop scored his second header in two games to help Espanyol to a point away to Malaga who took a point thanks to Duje Cop's penalty on the stroke of halftime.

Valencia sacked Gary Neville as first team coach on Wednesday, but his replacement Pako Ayestaran wasn't able to change their fortunes as they lost 2-1 away to Las Palmas.

Rodrigo put Valencia ahead after just three minutes but second half goals from Jonathan Viera (a former Valencia player) and an own goal from Shkrodan Mustafi after 63 minutes just about ensured Las Palmas' survival, while dropping Valencia into the relegation dogfight.

Finally the Galicia derby between Celta Vigo and Deportivo la Coruna ended in a 1-1 draw. Borges put Deportivo ahead after 21 minutes and Nolito equalized for Celta nine minutes later.