Barca's seventh win out of seven home games this season puts them nine points clear of arch-rivals Real, who were held to a goalless draw at Villarreal Sunday, and Espanyol who won 1-0 at Real Zaragoza.

In fourth, Valencia, who like Barca and Real, have a vital Champions League date in midweek, were indebted to Xisco's strike four minutes from time for their 1-0 win at Albacete.

Real Madrid, missing a string of stars including Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Guti, Raul and Roberto Carlos, nevertheless managed to create opportunities at Villarreal, with a effort from Ronaldo after 20 minutes and a David Beckham free kick ten minutes later rebuffed by the hosts' tight defence.

Real were hard-pressed in the second half to keep the Villarreal attack at bay with Iker Casillas keeping a Antonio Guayre effort out on 63 minutes, while a Lucho Figueroa goal after 79 minutes was ruled offside.

A late effort from Diego Forlan off a centre from Juan Roman Riquelme ten minutes from time proved short.

Elsewhere, bottom table Numancia threw away a 2-0 lead to fall 3-2 at fellow strugglers Real Mallorca on Sunday.

A seven-minute goal spree late in the second half handed Hector Cuper's Mallorca just their third win out of 14 games this season and first home win since last May.

Espanyol added to the woes of Real Zaragoza thanks to a 36 minute goal from captain Raul Tamudo after good work from Ivan De la Pena and Dani.

Real Sociedad ended Betis's 10 match unbeaten run after striker Darko Kovacevic scored the only goal in the tie from the edge of the area eight minutes before halftime.

Second half goals from Julio Baptista and Carlitos sealed a 2-0 home win for Sevilla at the expesne of Athletic Bilbao.

A late goal from Deportivo La Coruna's Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani gave the Gallican side a 2-2 draw at Racing Santander.

Santander had taken the lead after 23 minutes through their Israeli international striker Yossi Benayoun, with Deportivo drawing level four minutes after the break withe a penalty from Alberto Luque.

The hosts looked as if they had sealed the winner four minutes times with a Javi Guerrero effort before Pandiani struck three minutes into extra time.