Real Madrid moved a step closer to clinching the Primera Liga crown on Sunday, while Levante's relegation from the top flight was confirmed.Javier Saviola opened the scoring for Madrid as the defending champions defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at the Bernabeu, following up after Armando Ribeiro had parried Robinho's shot.
Joseba Garmendia had a golden chance to restore parity nine minutes from half-time but his spot-kick was brilliantly saved by the outstanding Iker Casillas.
Arjen Robben and Gonzalo Higuain were introduced in the 72nd minute and it proved a masterstroke from Bernd Schuster as both found themselves on the scoresheet within four minutes to make the points safe.
The result leaves Madrid 10 points clear of second-placed Villarreal with four games remaining.
Madrid headed into the match knowing they could not mathematically secure the crown on Sunday due to Villarreal's earlier 1-0 win at Real Betis.
A wonder goal from Marcos Senna ensured the title race will last one more week at least.
Senna struck from just inside the Betis half with a superb lob and that was all it took for the Yellow Submarine to take all three points in Seville.
Barcelona's already faint title hopes were all but ended on Saturday after they crashed to a deserved 2-0 defeat at in-form Deportivo La Coruna.
Juan Rodriguez and Pablo Amo struck Depor's goals in the second half as the Galician side made it 10 wins in their last 14 matches.
At the other end of the table, calling off a threatened strike in order to play did nothing to save Levante from relegation as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Recreativo Huelva.
Levante's players thrashed out a deal on Friday night to receive a portion of their pay and avert a cancellation and automatic 3-0 loss, but it made little difference as they succumbed to goals from Erson Martin and Javier Camunas.
The result condemns Levante to the drop, while giving Recre renewed hope in their battle to avoid a similar fate.
New Valencia coach Salvador Gonzalez Marco 'Voro' got off to the perfect start as his side comfortably beat 10-man Osasuna 3-0 in his first game in charge.
The game turned on its head in the 17th minute when Osasuna goalkeeper Ricardo was dismissed for a professional foul on David Villa, conceding a penalty in the process which Villa duly slotted home.
With a numerical disadvantage Osasuna never really troubled their fellow Primera Liga strugglers and any real hope of nicking a vital point evaporated when Juan Mata doubled Valencia's tally early in the second half.
Joaquin added a third with eight minutes remaining to put the icing on the cake and restore some much-needed confidence to Valencia after their 5-1 humbling at Athletic Bilbao last week.
That result - Los Che's fourth league defeat on the trot - spelled the end for former coach Ronald Koeman.
Racing Santander missed the opportunity to move into a Champions League place as they crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Real Mallorca.
Marcelino Garcia Toral's team have enjoyed a memorable season thus far, however their hopes of playing in Europe's elite competition for the first time have suffered after three defeats from their past four games.
Their hopes of arresting that run were undermined by a Jose Nunes header in first-half stoppage time and the game looked safely in Mallorca's possession when Oscar Trejo doubled their advantage eight minutes from time.
However, a Aldo Duscher penalty five minutes later revived the visitors' hopes only for top scorer Daniel Guiza to end them again a minute from time.
Despite the defeat Santander did not lose too much ground on fourth-placed
More Football News from TEAMtalk
