MADRID Apr 25: Madrid's two big clubs both lost on Sunday with Atle Heo perilously close to re legal!

on and Real watching the leading pair pull further away in the title race, reports Reuter

Defending champions Bar celona narrowed the gap behind leaders Deportlvo Coruna to two points with three matches to go. winning 40 away to Celts on Saturday whl> the Galicians were held 0-0 at Lerida.

Atletico lost 2-0 at Racing Santander. who scored through Pablo Alfaro an David VlllaBona Fifth from bottom on goal difference they are only one place clear of having to play off to stay in the top division.

Real Madrid's woeful season by their own high standards took another knock with a 2-0 defeat at home to Real Sociedad leaving them seven points adrift of second placed Barcelona

It was only Real Sociedad's second victory in 50 visits to the Santiago Bernabeu

Stadium Real Madrid played miserably creating almost no chances and at the end irritated fans threw seat cushions onto the pitch

Bosnian Meho Kodreo came back with a flourish from a four match suspension to hit Real Sociedad's first goal two min utes Into the second half. Imano) Alguacil made It 2-0 in the 88th minute with a long, clean shot

Barcelona got off to a flying start with a first-minute goal by Bulgarian Hristo Stoichkov

Second-half goals by Stoichkov, Guillermo Amor and Quique Estebaranz com pleted an impressive perfor mance against a Celta side tired and broken after losing the Spanish Cup final to Real Zaragoza on Wednesday

We are two points from Deportlvo, and there are still six in play. " Barcelona Coach Johan Cruyff said

Barcelona have been steadily regaining their stride after an uneven run earlier in the season and of the last 24 points in play, they have taken 22 They also have a better goal difference than Deportlvo.

Deportlvo coach Arsenio

Iglesias made light of the dropped point. The league Is within our grasp I'm content wtth the point we have achieved " he said

But Deportlvo adopted the conservative game which brought them a string of poor results In recent matches. They created few chances de spite controlling much of the play and Lerida had the more clear-cut shots on

The two leaders have what should be fairly straightforward games next weekend, with Deportlvo hosting Rayo Vallecano. Madrid's weaker third club, and Barcelona at home to Sporting Gljon.

Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla, both vying for UEFA Cup places, drew 1-1 in Bilbao. They have 39 points apiece, one behind Real Zaragoza, who lost v“Jencis but as Spanish Cup champions will play in the European Cup Winners Cup next season.

Barcelona’s smaller neighbours Espahol bounced right back Into the First Division after being relegated last season. a 4 0 win over Cadiz on Saturday clinching promotion three weeks before" the end of the season