Barça ease past Espanyol, Atleti beat Elche
Neymar and Lionel Messi were on target as Barcelona eased their way to a 2-0 win at local rivals Espanyol to increase their grip on top spot in the Spanish La Liga. Brazilian Neymar struck after 16 minutes to put Barcelona on their way to victory and then Messi scored from a tight angle nine minutes later to double the visitors' lead.
The only negative for Luis Enrique's side was Jordi Alba getting sent off in the second half for earning two bookings, but the league leaders continued playing as if it was they who had an extra man, and could have extended their lead. Espanyol defender Hector Moreno was then also sent off in injury time to complete a miserable afternoon for the hosts.
Atletico Madrid comfortably beat Elche 3-0 at home to resume normal service after being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Real Madrid in midweek. The visitors came through the first half unscathed but fell behind to Antoine Griezmann's header on 55 minutes, and Raul Garcia doubled the lead before the Frenchman pounced again, scoring a double for a third consecutive league game. The win sees Atletico tighten their grip on third spot, while Elche remain in 14th place, six points above the relegation zone.
Victor Casadesus scored the only goal as strugglers Levante claimed a valuable 1-0 win at Getafe. Casadesus broke the deadlock in the 35th minute and Lucas Alcaraz's side held on to claim three valuable points in their quest to avoid relegation.
Levante started the day just one point clear of the bottom three, but the win over 13th-placed Getafe boosted them above Eibar and into 15th place. In the day's remaining game, Real Sociedad and Villarreal drew 0-0.