Madrid draw hands title to Barca

Barcelona were crowned Primera Division champions after nearest challengers Real Madrid failed to beat Espanyol at Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

Holders Madrid needed a victory at the home of Barca's city rivals to prevent Tito Vilanova's men from taking their title, but they were held to a 1-1 draw.

The result leaves Barca seven points clear at the summit ahead of their trip to Atletico Madrid, with Jose Mourinho's side now only having two league games left this season.

This is the fourth time in the last five years that Barca have been crowned Spanish champions and the 22nd time in their history - 10 behind arch rivals Madrid.

Christian Stuani's 23rd-minute strike put Espanyol ahead but Gonzalo Higuain levelled matters after 58 minutes before Espanyol were reduced to 10 men in injury-time when Victor Sanchez was given his second yellow card.

Athletic Bilbao took a giant step towards sealing their Primera Division status after overcoming nine-man Real Mallorca 2-1 at San Mames.

Aritz Aduriz gave the hosts an early lead but then missed a penalty after Andreu Fontas was sent off on 25 minutes. Fernando Llorente doubled the advantage late in the second half but Mallorca forward Giovani Dos Santos made for an exciting finish by netting a superb goal two minutes later.

However, Mallorca's hopes of snatching a late equaliser were struck a blow in injury time when Ximo Navarro was also sent off for a second booking and Athletic were able to hold on.

Alejandro Arribas struck a second-half winner to earn Osasuna a potentially priceless 1-0 victory in their fight to avoid the drop.

Arribas netted 16 minutes from time as Osasuna ended a five-match winless streak with a deserved triumph that moves them four points above third-bottom Deportivo La Coruna, who lost 1-0 at Real Valladolid.