Barca close in on Liga crown

Barcelona are within touching distance of their first league title in six years after a storming 2-0 victory over last season's champions Valencia at the Mestalla last night.

A stunning 20-metre drive from Ronaldinho and a cool finish from leading scorer Samuel Eto'o two minutes later secured the win that puts Barca six points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table with just three games left to play.

A victory at struggling Levante this week would guarantee the Catalans a 17th league championship since they also have the advantage of a better record in head-to-head clashes with Real.

Barca lead the standings on 81 points while Real, who crushed Racing Santander 5-0 on Saturday but look to be heading for a second successive season without a major trophy, have 75.

Sevilla stay a distant third on 58 points despite their 1-0 defeat at city rivals Real Betis on Saturday while Villarreal are level on points in fourth after a 2-0 win at Malaga.

Valencia, who needed to beat Barca to join the race for the Champions League places, looked as though they might prove to be awkward opponents for the league leaders in the opening minutes.

But Barca saw off their opponents with two devastating strikes from Ronaldinho and Eto'o in the space of two minutes.

Frank Rijkaard's side could have stretched their lead before the break but Palop did well to stop another Ronaldinho shot and Ludovic Giuly wasted a chance when he sliced wide of the post.

Barca remained firmly in control in the second half and their task was made even easier 10 minutes later when Valencia defender Carlos Marchena was sent off for a wayward challenge on Deco.

Yesterday results: Albacete vs Levante 3-1; Getafe vs R. Sociedad 2-0; Malaga vs Villarreal 0-2; Espanyol vs Numancia 3-0; Valencia vs Barcelona 0-2.