MADRID, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The weekend in La Liga saw Real Madrid move closer to this season's title after Arda Guler's first half goal gave it a 1-0 win away to Real Sociedad on Friday night.
Guler impressed as a much-changed Real Madrid moved 14 points clear of FC Barcelona, who plays Valencia on Monday night.
Girona took advantage of Barca not playing until Monday to move second with a 2-0 win away to Las Palmas, with a result that also means it is just a win away from assuring a place in next season's Champions League.
Las Palmas missed an early penalty, before David Lopez put Girona ahead, netting the rebound after Artem Dovbyk's penalty at the other end was saved.
Dovbyk made no mistake from the spot in the second half to confirm Girona's victory to end a run of four consecutive away defeats.
Atletico Madrid's 3-1 win at home to Athletic Club Bilbao saw it move six points clear of its Basque rivals in the battle for fourth place.
Rodrigo de Paul's 15th minute shot was deflected in off Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and although Nico equalized on the stroke of halftime, Angel Correa put Atletico back ahead after beating the offside trap after 52 minutes.
Atletico got lucky again 10 minutes from time when Samuel Lino's shot hit the post and bounced in off the back of visiting keeper, Unai Simon.
Betis and Sevilla drew another fractious Seville derby 1-1, with Isco scoring a harsh penalty for handball to put Betis in front, before Kike Salas' towering header moments after coming into the game made it honors even.
Alexander Sorloth was on target twice as Villarreal kept its European options alive with a 3-0 win at home to Rayo Vallecano, with Yerson Mosquera netting the third for Marcelino Garcia Toral's team.
Almeria's relegation was confirmed as it lost 3-1 at home to Getafe, with Mason Greenwood scoring twice and Jaime Mata adding a third for the visitors.
Granada kept its slim survival hopes alive with a 3-0 win at home to Osasuna, thanks to goals from Facundo Pellistri, Myrto Uzuni and Lucas Boye that gave it just its fourth win of the campaign.
Second half goals from Giuliano Simeone, Jon Guridi and Carlos Benavidez ensured Alaves' top-flight status as it won 3-0 at home to Celta Vigo, who still has work to do to avoid the drop.
Cadiz and Mallorca drew another relegation battle 1-1, with Vedat Muriqi putting Mallorca ahead in the 11th minute with a magnificent diving header, before Chris Ramos equalized just before the hour.
The result keeps Mallorca six clear of Cadiz, who pull to within five points of Celta, but has to visit Real Madrid next weekend. ■
