MADRID: Injury-hit Villarreal underlined their Spanish league title credentials with a 2-1 victory over rock-bottom Recreativo Huelva on Sunday to cut the gap on leaders Barcelona to four points.

Despite missing seven players, including influential midfielder Marcos Senna, Villarreal had enough to overcome a Recreativo side who have won just once all season.

Villarreal were fortunate to go ahead when Santi Cazorla's shot from outside the area went in off a defender after 26 minutes.

Ariel Ibagaza doubled the lead with a well-struck free-kick before Recreativo pulled a goal back through a penalty from Adrian Colunga after Pascal Cygan brought down Marco Ruben.

"We had a good game and in my opinion deserved more goals," said Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini.
"After our second goal we were clearly superior although we didn't take our chances. We won in spite of missing a lot of players."

A Ruben Baraja header gave 10-man Valencia a 3-2 victory in a pulsating encounter with Real Betis at the Mestalla to keep them in the championship hunt.

Valencia had lost their last two home games but went into a commanding lead after first-half goals from David Villa and Juan Mata.

Betis reduced the deficit with Juanma Gonzalez scoring after 56 minutes.

Valencia then had Carlos Marchena sent off for a foul on Sergio Garcia with Achille Emana converting the spot-kick.

Betis pushed forward looking for the victory but Baraja headed a free-kick powerfully past the stranded Betis keeper to give Valencia the three points.

A late brace for Diego Forlan put the gloss on Atletico Madrid's performance as they beat 10-man Racing Santander 4-1 to move up to sixth place.


Espanyol's 1-0 home defeat to Sporting Gijon led to the post-match sacking of coach Bartolomeo Marquez with the team on the edge of the relegation zone.

Deportivo Coruna beat Almeria with Joan Verdu scoring the only goal of the game.