Barcelona returned to winning ways and extended their Primera Liga lead with a 2-0 home victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday while Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by city rivals Atletico at the Bernabeu. The win opened up a six-point gap over chasing Real, whose 10-match winning streak came to an end.
Sergio Busquets header and a Lionel Messi penalty gave Barca their first victory in six outings in all competitions ahead of the visit of Olympique Lyon in the Champions League. "To play well and win like this should give the fans a little more faith in the team," Barca coach Pep Guardiola said.
However, the victory came at a price with defender Carles Puyol leaving the pitch on a stretcher in the last minute with damaged ankle ligaments and now facing three weeks out.
In Madrid, Diego Forlan put Atletico ahead before the break and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar levelled in the 57th minute. The visitors, who beat Barca last weekend, missed a host of second-half chances to claim their first derby win since 1999.
"Im pleased with the effort from the team, but it is a draw that feels like a defeat because of the chances we have missed," Atletico coach Abel Resino said.
Barca have 63 points with 12 matches left. Atletico remain fifth with 40 points behind champions Real (57), Sevilla (47) and Villarreal (45), who beat visiting Espanyol 1-0. Fabricio Fuentes headed Villarreal in front at a corner in the first half and they survived a spirited fightback from the relegation strugglers, who missed a second-half penalty. Third-placed Sevilla host Almeria on Sunday.