Off-key Barca back on top

Barcelona moved back to the top of the Primera Liga tonight after they left it late to beat Celta Vigo at the Nou Camp.

Goals from Javier Saviola, Ronaldinho and substitute Ludovic Giuly gave the Spanish champions a hard-earned 3-1 victory which sees them stay one point clear of Sevilla, who recorded a thrilling 4-2 victory against lowly Levante at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia to briefly go top earlier in the day.

A brace from Robert helped Real Betis move out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 triumph and bring Valencia’s run of six straight wins to an end, while basement club Gimnastic defied their league position to thrash Catalan rivals Espanyol 4-0 at Nou Estadi.

Mallorca edged past Recreativo Huelva 2-1, a first-half brace from Daniel Guiza was enough to see Getafe cruise past Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao beat Real Sociedad and Real Zaragoza drew 1-1 with strugglers Deportivo La Coruna.