Barcelona Football Club

• Nickname:Barça
• Founded:1899
• Manager:Tito Vilanova

• Ground:Nou Camp
• Capacity:98600

Derby draw blow for Barca

20 Apr 2008 - 10:54:05

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Barcelona's hopes of catching Primera Liga leaders Real Madrid were all but ended as they were held to a goalless draw at home by city rivals Espanyol.

A fiery Catalan derby produced 11 yellow cards but no goals inside the camp Nou, leaving Barca still eight points adrift of bitter rivals Real.

Atletico Madrid missed a chance to strengthen their grip on fourth place as they lost 3-1 at home to Real Betis.

The visitors made all but certain of their escape from relegation, as goals from Juande, Xisco and Capi cancelled out Sergio Aguero's early opener for Atletico.

Almeria's superb season continued as they romped to a 4-1 win at Sevilla, thanks to an own goal, a Juan Manuel Ortiz strike and an Alvaro Negredo double.

The home side were reduced to ten men midway through the second half when Adriano was red-carded, before Freddie Kanoute netted a late consolation in the Mestalla.

Real Zaragoza won a classic relegation six-pointer 3-0 at home to Recreativo Huelva, in a game which saw three players sent off.

Sergio Garcia's early strike and a Ruben Oliveira double gave the home side three crucial points from a feisty encounter in La Romereda.