Barca fight back twice to stay in title race

MADRID - FC Barcelona showed their character in coming back from behind twice to defeat Villarreal 3-2 on Sunday night to remain in the fight for the La Liga title.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates his goal against Villarreal with team mates Luis Suarez (L) and Neymar (R) during their Spanish first division soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona February 1, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

Denis Cheryshev put Villarreal ahead after 30 minutes of an open game and although Neymar equalized on the stroke of halftime, Vieto restored Villarreal's lead six minutes after the break.

It looked as if the league could be escaping Barca's grip but two goals in three minutes just two minutes after Vieto's goal saw Barca turn the game around.

First Rafinha once again drew Barca level before a magnificent goal from Leo Messi, after an assist from Luis Suarez, gave Barca all three points to keep them a point behind Real Madrid, who will play Sevilla on Wednesday.

Sevilla won a thrilling match at home to Espanyol after fighting back from a goal down. Cristiano Stuani put the visitors ahead after Beto had committed a penalty he was lucky to stay on the field for.

Diogo scored a goal from almost the halfway line to level for Sevilla 10 minutes later and Vitolo put the home side ahead 10 minutes later.

Espanyol were reduced to 10 men when their goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was sent off for handball outside the area but they equalized thanks to Victor Sanchez with 13 minutes left. However, the game had a final twist as Iago Aspes' first goal for Sevilla gave them the points in the last minute of the game.

Aritz Aduriz scored twice to give Athletic Club Bilbao a vital 2-0 win away to Levante in the midday kickoff. The win lifts Athletic away from the danger zone, while leaving Levante bottom of the table.

Edgar Mendez's goal gave Almeria their first home win of the season as they defeated Getafe 1-0 in a game with both sides having 10 players left and three penalties dismissed, two for Almeria and one for Getafe.

Real Madrid remain top after coming back from conceding a first minute goal to defeat Real Sociedad 4-1 on Saturday.

Aritz Elustondo opened the scoring in the first minute with a powerful header following a corner, but James Rodriguez leveled just 90 seconds afterwards and Sergio Ramos put Madrid ahead seven minutes before halftime.

Karim Benzema then produced a fine display to help forget the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and scored two excellent second half goals.

Atletico Madrid overcame the dreadful conditions and an in-form rival to defeat Eibar 3-1 in a rain soaked Ipurua Stadium.

The game was over as a contest by the 25th minute after a goal from Antoine Griezmann and two from Mario Mandzukic saw Atletico overcome their midweek Kings Cup exit to FC Barcelona and set them up for next weekend's home clash against Real Madrid.

Granada also enjoyed a good day with a 1-0 win at home to Elche thanks to a Jhon Cordoba strike, while Nolito's goal gave Celta Vigo their first win in 10 games as they triumphed 1-0 at home to Cordoba.