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Espanyol hand title to Barcelona

Barcelona have won their fourth title in the past five years © Getty Images

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Barcelona clinched the Primera Division title on Saturday night after Espanyol held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw at Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

Christian Stuani gave the hosts the lead on 23 minutes and, though Gonzalo Higuain found an equaliser just before the hour mark, Real could not find a winner. Victor Sanchez was sent off for the hosts in injury time.

The title holders had needed a victory at the home of Barca's city rivals to prevent Tito Vilanova's men from taking their title, with the draw leaving Barca seven points clear at the summit, and Madrid now only having two league games left this season.

This is the fourth time in the last five years that Barca have been crowned Spanish champions and the 22nd time in their history - ten behind arch rivals Madrid.

Real Valladolid guaranteed survival in the Primera Division for another season after beating Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 at the Jose Zorilla stadium.

Javi Guerra struck three minutes into the second half to score the only goal of the game and take his team onto 43 points, 11 ahead of the Galicians, who still occupy the final relegation spot.

Athletic Bilbao also took a giant step towards sealing their Primera Division status after overcoming nine-man Real Mallorca 2-1 at San Mames.

Aritz Aduriz gave the hosts an early lead but then missed a penalty after Andreu Fontas was sent off on 25 minutes.

Fernando Llorente doubled the advantage late in the second half but Mallorca forward Giovani Dos Santos made for an exciting finish by netting a superb goal two minutes later.

However, Mallorca's hopes of snatching a late equaliser were struck a blow in injury time when Ximo Navarro was also sent off for a second booking and Athletic were able to hold on.

Athletic are now nine points clear of Deportivo, who hold the final relegation place, with three games to play.

Alejandro Arribas struck a second-half winner to earn Osasuna a potentially priceless 1-0 victory against Getafe and help their fight to avoid the drop.

Arribas netted 16 minutes from time as Osasuna ended a five-match winless streak with a deserved triumph that moves them four points above third-bottom Deportivo.

While the result could help save Osasuna's Primera Division status, it was a blow to Getafe's hopes of getting into Europe next season.

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