Primera Liga Reports

DEPORTIVO CORUNA 0 BARCELONA 1

Barcelona went 14 points clear at the top as they survived
the 51st-minute sending off of defender Rafael Marquez, to beat
a spirited Deportivo Coruna.

French midfielder Ludovic Giuly scored after nine minutes,
diverting Silvinho's wayward shot high into the net at the far
post.

Barca keeper Victor Valdes pulled off match-winning saves
from Diego Tristan and Albert Luque towards the end but Barca
held firm to put the pressure on second-placed Real Madrid who
play Malaga at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

- - - -

ESPANYOL 2 REAL SOCIEDAD 2

Captain Raul Tamudo struck twice from the penalty spot
either side of haltime but it was not enough to push
fifth-placed Espanyol into the Champions League places.

Darko Kovacevic headed Real Sociedad in front early on and
second-half substitute Oscar de Paula then snatched a point with
a deflected shot from outside the area 13 minutes from time.

- - - -

REAL BETIS 2 ALBACETE 1

Real Betis moved up to third with a comfortable 2-1 win over
relegation-threatened Albacete, who are in danger of being cast
adrift near the foot of the table.

Defender David Rivas put Betis in front, flicking a header
into the top corner from Arzu's left wing cross, and midfielder
Marcos Assuncao then doubled the lead just before the hour mark
by curling in a 25-metre shot from the edge of the area.

Albacete pulled a goal back through midfielder Mark Gonzalez
with 16 minutes left but it was not enough to stop the visitors
slipping to their sixth defeat in seven games.

- - - -

Playing Sunday (kickoffs 1600 GMT unless stated):
Athletic Bilbao v Levante
Numancia v Racing Santander
Real Madrid v Malaga (1800)
Real Mallorca v Sevilla
Real Zaragoza v Atletico Madrid (2000)
Valencia v Getafe

Note: Osasuna v Villarreal postponed due to Villarreal's
UEFA Cup second knockout round, second leg tie with Steaua
Bucharest on Sunday. New date yet to be agreed.