Published 5/6/2007 9:16:28 AM by staff from afp

League leaders Barcelona threw down the gauntlet to their main rivals for the Spanish title, and pushed Real Sociedad closer to relegation, with a 2-0 win over the Basque side on Saturday.  Spanish international playmaker Andres Iniesta and Samuel Eto last season's top scorer in the Spanish first division, got second half goals to edge the Catalan club closer to their third successive La Liga crown.

"This was an important victory not just because we stay on top of the league but also after our recent bad results away from home," said Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, whose team now have a four point lead with five games to go.  Rijkaard was well aware that Barca had lost four of their last five away trips prior to their win on Saturday,  which has left the door open for their nearest rivals Sevilla and Real Madrid.

"What also pleased me was the way we played. Every player was deserved a hug and to celebrate this victory," added Rijkaard.

Nevertheless, the Dutchman will know in his heart that despite his diplomatic words the main plaudits should go Ronaldinho whose vision and creativity made both the Barca goals.  After dominating the first half, Iniesta ended the deadlock barely a minute after the break.  Ronaldinho showed just why he has twice been voted as the World Player of the Year with an outstanding pass from just outside his own box, the Brazilian spotting Iniesta was lurking unmarked on the edge of the opposition area.  The midfield playmaker ran onto the long pass and then went around Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo before slotting the ball home.  Barcelona nearly went further ahead just after the hour but Eto was judged to be offside and last season's top scorer in the Spanish first division had his goal annulled.

Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho also nearly added to the Barca tally before Eto notched up his 10th goal of the season two minutes from the whistle.  Ronaldinho, who put behind him some mediocre performances recently, provided a defence-splitting pass for Eto to latch on to and the Cameroon striker was deadly accurate with a right foot shot from the edge of the area.

"Barcelona were worthy winners but we are not down-and-out. We didn't play like condemned men," reflected Real Sociedad coach Miguel Angel Lotina, whose team remain second from bottom.

Real Sociedad have not been outside of the top flight of Spanish football for 40 years, since they won the Spanish second division in 1967.  Second-placed Sevilla have a game in hand over Barca as they play at Real Madrid on Sunday.  Real are in third place, one point further back.

"Every game is now a final for us. We have to keep going game-to-game and keep on wining but we are finishing the season in good shape, both in terms of team spirit and what we are doing on the field," said Real coach Fabio Capello earlier on Saturday.

Controversially, former England captain David Beckham is expected to start.  The Spanish football association's competitions committee decided on Thursday to cancel the yellow card that Beckham had picked up during Real's 4-1 win at Athletic Bilbao last Sunday.

"In European football the rules are serious but in Spain it is a joke. Everyone else has to obey the rules so I don't understand why Real Madrid don't have to do the same." Sevilla's angry coach Juande Ramos said on Friday.

Valencia stay in fourth and on course to return to the Champions League next season with a 2-1 win at Deportivo La Coruna. The only Spanish team in this season's Champions League drew first blood after 39 minutes when David Silva's shot spun off the back of Deportivo defender Alberto Lopo and Hugo Viana was on hand to score from close range.

Sebastian Taborda equalised for Deportivo after 68 minutes, the Uruguayan striker sliding in to score from a corner with his first touch of the game after coming on as a substitute.  Silva then got Valencia's winner five minutes later after combining on a fast-moving counter-attack with Miguel Angel Angulo.

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