Barcelona edge closer to the title

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MADRID, Spain -- Andres Iniesta and Samuel Eto'o scored second-half goals to push Barcelona closer towards a third successive Primera Liga title with a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad.

Ronaldinho threaded the ball through Sociedad's defense to Iniesta, who rounded goalkeeper Claudio Bravo before slotting in Barcelona's first goal in the 47th minute.

The Brazil forward also supplied the pass to an unmarked Eto'o, who raced forward before shooting past the advancing Bravo in the 88th.

Barcelona's victory was only their second in 10 away matches and it ended Sociedad's three-game winning streak at Anoeta stadium.

The home side stayed in 19th place and are now in serious danger of going down after 40 years in the top flight.

Barcelona have 65 points with five games to play. Sevilla have 61 points, one more than Real Madrid, their opponents at the Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday.

Valencia moved onto 59 with a 2-1 victory away to mid-table Deportivo Coruna.

Barcelona, lacking injured midfielders Deco and Rafael Marquez, increasingly dominated in the first period with Bravo thwarting Xavi Hernandez in the 28th minute and Iniesta five minutes later.

However, Iniesta's goal just after the restart was followed by chances for both sides, with Sociedad forward Savio Bortolini shooting wide in the 54th. A powerful shot by Eto'o was blocked by Bravo two minutes later.

Ronaldinho, who had briefly left the field being hit in the face by Sociedad midfielder Victor Lopez, almost scored his 18th goal of the season with a curling free kick which flew over the crossbar in the 72nd.

The Brazilian wasted a clear chance seven minutes later after a mazy dribble by Eto'o, while Lionel Messi raced past several Sociedad defenders before shooting narrowly wide two minutes later.

Moments before Eto'o's goal, Savio had an opportunity to equalize against the run of play but shot over.

Valencia took a 39th minute lead in a generally uninspiring first half at Coruna, Hugo Viana firing in a low drive after David Silva's cross from the left rebounded.

An inspired substitution brought Deportivo a 68th minute equalizer when uruguayan Sebastian Taborda scored with his first touch after Sergio's free kick.

But six minutes later Valencia were ahead again when David Villa fed Angulo, who cut the ball back for David Silva to score.

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