MADRID, Feb 13 - Sevilla moved up to third place
in the Primera Liga on Sunday after a double from Julio Baptista
helped them to a 2-1 win at home to Villarreal.
The Brazilian striker put the Andalucians in front before
halftime with a clever glancing header and doubled their lead
from the penalty spot eight minutes from time.
Villarreal, who had won their previous five games, clawed a
goal back in the closing minutes when Juan Roman Riquelme netted
a penalty after Sevilla defender Aitor Ocio was controversially
dismissed for being adjudged to have committed a foul in the
area.
The result put the Andalucians three points clear of
Valencia, who lost 2-1 at home to Deportivo Coruna on Saturday.
Espanyol drew level with Claudio Ranieri's side on 38 points
after injury-time goals gave them a 2-0 win at home to Getafe.
Barcelona showed no sign of loosening their grip on top spot
when they overpowered Real Zaragoza 4-1 at La Romareda on
Saturday, leading scorer Samuel Eto'o taking his tally for the
season to 17 goals with a coolly taken first-half strike.
Second-placed Real Madrid, who are seven points adrift of
Barca, will be looking to keep pace with the Catalans by
notching up their seventh win on the trot when they visit
Osasuna later on Sunday.