| A magnificent goal by Marcos Senna (photo, left) keeps alive Villarreal's mathematical hopes of winning the title though a win for Real Madrid against Osasuna in Pamplona next weekend will ensure the trophy stays in the Santiago Bernabeu boardroom for a second consecutive year.
With Betis keeper Castro just a few yards off his line, the Spain midfielder struck from just past the halfway line with a breathtaking effort reminiscent of Xavi Alonso's for Liverpool against Luton and Newcastle in recent seasons.
The wins keeps the Castellón outfit above Barcelona, whose hopes of retaining the title have now evaporated in the wake of Saturday's below-par 2-0 defeat against Deportivo at the Riazor.
Valencia are now four points clear of the drop zone after their encouraging 3-0 success against Osasuna at the Riazor under new boss, Voro.
Local rivals Levante, however, have lost their relegation battle after falling 2-0 away from home against fellow strugglers, Recreativo de Huelva.
The battle for the fourth Champions League spot remains wide open as a result of Atlético Madrid's 1-1 draw against Getafe though fifth-placed Santander were beaten - 3-1 away to Mallorca - while Sevilla could only manage a goalless draw away to second-from-bottom, Murcia.
In Madrid last night, the holders' three goals against Athletic Bilbao were scored by Saviola, Robben and Higuain. A first half penalty save was required for Iker Casillas to keep a clean sheet after former Man Utd defender Gabriel Heinze brought down Llorente on the stroke of half-time. Spain's number one pulled off a reflex one-handed save to prevent Garmendia from levelling Saviola's 13th minute opener.
Sunday, 27th April Valencia 3-0 Osasuna Mallorca 3-1 Racing Santander Valladolid 1-0 Almeria Recreativo Huelva 2-0 Levante Real Madrid 3-0 Athletic Bilbao Real Betis 0-1 Villarreal Espanyol 1-1 Real Zaragoza Getafe 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Saturday, 26th April Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 Barcelona Murcia 0-0 Sevilla
Liga table, points after 34 games 1 Real Madrid 75 2 Villarreal 65 3 Barcelona 61 4 Atletico Madrid 55 5 Racing Santander 53 6 Sevilla 52 7 Deportivo La Coruna 49 8 Almeria 48 9 Real Mallorca 47 10 Espanyol 47 11 Athletic Bilbao 46 12 Real Betis 44 13 Getafe 42 14 Real Valladolid 42 15 Valencia 42 16 Osasuna 40 17 Recreativo Huelva 40 18 Real Zaragoza 38 19 Murcia 30 20 Levante 25
Saturday, 3rd May Atletico Madrid vs Recreativo Huelva Real Zaragoza vs Deportivo La Coruna
Sunday, 4th May Almeria vs Real Betis Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca Levante vs Espanyol Racing Santander vs Murcia Sevilla vs Valladolid Villarreal vs Getafe Barcelona vs Valencia Osasuna vs Real Madrid |