Garcia's goal nudges Atletico closer to title
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Valencia, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - A first-half goal from Raul Garcia was enough to hand Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win at Valencia on Sunday, pushing the club closer to its first league title since the 1995-96 season.
Garcia headed home the crucial goal shortly before halftime, and his team held firm over the second 45 minutes to move six points clear of Real Madrid, which has a game in hand, while Barcelona is four points back in second place after a 3-2 comeback win over Villarreal on Sunday.
Valencia threatened first with Paco Alcacer going close with a shot, while Atletico had chances of its own through David Villa and Koke.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The lone goal of the contest arrived in the 43rd minute when a chipped ball into the penalty area from Gabi found the head of Garcia, who got up above his defender to nod the ball off the post and into the net.
Sofiane Feghouli was the most dangerous man for Valencia after the break and he had a goalbound header blocked by Filipe Luis before driving a shot just wide of the far post.
Atletico had chances to put the result beyond reach, but the club still managed to see off the final minutes of the game despite having Juanfran sent off in stoppage time.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Barcelona fell behind 2-0 at Villarreal through goals from Cani and Trigueros, handing the Yellow Submarine a two-goal advantage with 35 minutes to play.
But own goals from Villarreal's Gabriel Paulista and Mateo Musacchio leveled the match before Lionel Messi struck the winner for Barca seven minutes from time.
Athletic Bilbao strengthened its hold on fourth place by notching a 3-1 win over fifth-place Sevilla with goals from Markel Susaeta, Iker Muniain and Ander Herrera. The result moves Bilbao six points clear of Sevilla with three games to play, making Bilbao the clear favorites to claim the final Champions League spot in La Liga.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sunday's other match saw Almeria claim a vital 2-1 comeback win at Espanyol with second-half goals from Francisco Jimenez and Suso to move Almeria to within two points of safety.