Sevilla were booed off by their own fans after a 0-0 draw with Espanyol dealt another blow to their Champions League hopes on Saturday.
The result left Sevilla in sixth place in La Liga, 18 points behind leaders Real Madrid and five behind fourth-placed Levante having played a game more.
Sevilla began the game brightly and spurned early chances to take the lead through Manu del Moral, Martin Caceres and Jose Antonio Reyes, who was playing only his third game since returning to the club.
Del Moral went close again on 27 minutes with a drive that was blocked by Francisco Casilla in the Espanyol goal.
The shots continued to rain in on Espanyol, who held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw last weekend, as Sevilla enjoyed all the possession with Piotr Trochowski going close from a free-kick and Reyes lifting a chance over the crossbar.
At the other end Espanyol managed to carve out an isolated chance when Alvaro Vazquez, who was on target against Barca, almost surprised Sevilla with a long shot on 36 minutes.
However Sevilla continued to advance with a slick passing game that produced attack after attack, the best chance falling to Spanish international Alvaro Negredo.
Bottom club Zaragoza missed a great opportunity to make up ground when they could only draw 1-1 at home to Getafe.
They had Mauricio Lanzaro to thank for a first-half lead after the Italian full-back powerfully headed home a corner on 38 minutes.
However Zaragoza central defender Javier Paredes was unfortunate when a Pedro Leon corner struck him and landed over the line to give Getafe a share of the points with 12 minutes remaining.
The draw leaves Zaragoza stranded at the bottom, four points behind Sporting Gijon and five behind Villarreal who both play on Sunday.
Zaragoza's fans, frustrated by a perilous financial situation and their poor league position, protested in large numbers before the game against club president Agapito Iglesias.
Later Saturday, leaders Real Madrid have a chance to open an eight-point lead at the top when they face Real Mallorca.
Barcelona are not in action until Sunday when they take on Real Betis.
Source: AFP
