La Liga: Barcelona beat Almeria to consolidate second place

Madrid, May 17 (IANS) Two goals from midfielder Fermin Lopez gifted FC Barcelona a 2-0 win away to Almeria on Thursday and consolidated their second place in the La Liga table.

Barca's win, coupled with Girona's home defeat to Villarreal on Tuesday, gives Xavi Hernandez's side a four-point cushion over their nearest rivals with just two games remaining.

Lopez's first goal against a team already condemned to relegation came after 14 minutes when he arrived at the far post to meet a cross from young defender Hector Font.

Font was also involved in the second goal, as he gave the ball to Sergi Roberto, who burst into the Almeria area, before pulling the ball back for Lopez to double Barca's lead.

Real Sociedad and Betis are involved in a head-to-head struggle for sixth place and qualification for next season's Europa League, with Real Sociedad's 1-0 win at home to Valencia lifting them back to sixth, one point above Betis who they visit on Sunday, reports Xinhua.

Andre Silva headed Real Sociedad ahead in the third minute and both keepers made important saves to keep the scoreline unchanged until the final whistle.

In Thursday's early kick-off, Las Palmas twice came back from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Real Betis and moved six points clear of third-from-bottom Cadiz.

Mika Marmol's own goal put Betis ahead after 21 minutes, but Alex Suarez leveled for the home side just six minutes later.

Ayoze Perez restored Betis's lead four minutes after the break, but Alberto Moleiro was on hand to make it 2-2 in the 64th minute to end Las Palmas' run of eight consecutive defeats that had left them in the struggle to avoid relegation.

Real Madrid beat Alaves 5-0 on Tuesday, Girona lost 1-0 to Villarreal and Atletico Madrid won 3-0 away to Getafe on Wednesday in some of the week's key matches.