La Liga: Barca extend lead at top
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-20 14:58

Barcelona extended their massive lead at the top of La Liga with a 1-0 away victory at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday evening.

FC Barcelona's player French Giully (L) celebrates with his teammate Mexican Marquez (R) after scoring against Coruna during the Spanish first league football match at Riazor stadium, in Coruna. Barca won 1-0.[AFP]

The Catalan giants are now 14 points clear of their great rivals Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and face Malaga at home on Sunday afternoon.

Ludovic Giuly's first-half goal was enough to give all three points to Barcelona, who also had defensive midfielder Rafael Marquez sent off in the 52nd minute for two bookable offences.

Meanwhile, Real Betis staked an early claim for third place in the Primera Liga with a comfortable 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Albacete.

Villarreal, who started the day in third, are not playing this weekend because of their UEFA Cup second knockout round, second leg tie with Steaua Bucharest on Sunday.

Central defender David Rivas put Betis in front after 17 minutes with a flicked header into the far top corner from Arzu's left wing cross.

Betis doubled their lead through Brazilian midfielder Marcos Assuncao just before the hour mark when he curled in a 25-metre shot from the edge of the area.

Albacete pulled a goal back 16 minutes from time when midfielder Mark Gonzalez flicked Walter Peralta's free kick into the far corner with a back-header.

But Betis, who also hit the woodwork twice through Assuncao, were always in command and condemned Albacete to their sixth defeat in seven games.

Betis have 48 points from 29 games while Villarreal are on 47 points with a game in hand. Espanyol, also pressing for a Champions League spot, could onlt manage to draw at home with Real Sociedad..

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