体坛英语新闻：Spain's matchday 16, a good one for Barca and Atletico Madrid

MADRID, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 16 was a good one for both Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona who increased their advantage over real Madrid at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga table to 5 points after the weekends matches.

While Madrid only drew away to Osasuna, Barca and Atletico both won their matches, with two second half goals from Diego Costa, who is joint top scorer in Europe, and Raul Garcia.

The result again makes life difficult for Valencia coach Miroslav Djukic who probably needs a good result in the Copa del Rey and against Real Madrid next week to keep his job.

Neymar scored twice as Barcelona defeated Villarreal 2-1 in the Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday night.

The Brazilian, who had scored a hat-trick against Celtic on Wednesday scored a 30th minute penalty and they sealed the three points after Mateo Musacchio' s powerful header had drawn a well-organized Villarreal level three minutes into the second half.

The entry of Xavi Hernandez as a second half substitute allowed them regain control of a match where they enjoyed over 70 percent of the possession.

Neymar will be suspended for next week' s visit to Getafe after picking up his fifth booking of the campaign for taking a corner before the referee had given him permission.

Meanwhile Real Madrid left two valuable points in Pamplona and were forced to come from 2-0 down to take a point away to Osasuna.

Although Madrid started well and looks as if they would cruise to victory, Oriel Riera put Osasuna 2-0 up with well taken headed goals and things went from bad to worse for Madrid who saw Sergio Ramos sent off for two yellow cards before Isco pulled a goal back on the stroke of halftime.

Real Madrid were very poor in the second half, but got back into the game when Osasuna were reduced to 10 men with 11 minutes remaining when Francisco Silva was sent off and Pepe headed home the equalizer from the resulting free kick.

However, a lackluster Madrid were unable to create chances to take all three points in the closing minutes and will have both Pepe and Ramos suspended for next weekend' s visit to Valencia.

Sunday saw an impressive Athletic Club Bilbao improve their situation in fourth place with a solid 1-1 draw in Sevilla. Alberto Moreno for Sevilla after 4 minutes and Markel Susaeta two minutes later for Athletic secured the points, although Susaeta could have sealed the win had Beto not saved his penalty on the stroke of halftime.

Real Sociedad move fifth after hammering Betis 5-1 in Anoeta to ruin Juan Carlos Garrido' s home debut: Imanol Aguirretxe scored twice and was joined by Anttoine Griezmann, Ion Ansotegi and Xabi Prieto in their humiliation of the team bottom of the table.

Sunday kicked off with a tedious 0-0 draw between Almeria and Espanyol with Almeria unlucky to win after being forced to retake a penalty, which Verza scored first time, but missed the second.

Rayo Vallecano are also deep in trouble after losing 2-0 at home to Granada. Fran Rico opened the scoring after 35 minutes and Granada' s task was made considerably easier when Rayo defender Nacho was sent off just before halftime. Riki sealed the three points on the break in the last minute of the game.

Roque Santa Cruz' s goal 15 minutes from time gave Malaga a 1-0 win at home to Getafe and lifts the pressure off coach, Bernd Schuster.

Friday saw Levante fight back from a goal down to take an important 2-1 win at home to Elche.