(Adds Real Betis v Atletico Madrid)
* Espanyol surprise in-form Valencia to win 3-0
* Forlan brace puts Atletico up to fifth
* Lassad earns Deportivo 1-0 win over Valladolid
* New Getafe coach Michel makes losing start
By Mark Elkington
MADRID, May 3 - Superb strikes from Roman Martinez
and Nico Pareja helped Espanyol beat in-form Valencia 3-0 to
continue their steady climb away from the Primera Liga's
relegation places on Sunday.
Substitute Martinez lashed a shot high into the net after 66
minutes and Argentine compatriot Pareja curled a free kick into
the top corner before Nene put away a stoppage-time penalty.
Mauricio Pochettino's side were rooted to the foot of the
standings at the beginning of April but five battling wins in
six matches have pulled them up to 14th with 38 points, four
clear of the drop zone with four left to play.
Valencia remained fourth with 56 points, four behind Sevilla
who beat Villarreal 2-0 on Saturday.
Barcelona top the standings with 85 points after hammering
Real Madrid 6-2 at the Bernabeu.
Atletico Madrid kept up their chase for a return to the
Champions League next season with a 2-0 victory at Real Betis in
Sunday's late game.
Diego Forlan scored both goals to take his tally for the
campaign to 25, moving Atletico up to fifth and level on 55
points with Villarreal in sixth.
Earlier, an eighth-minute goal from Lassad Nouioui gave
Deportivo Coruna a 1-0 home win over Real Valladolid, which kept
them in the hunt for a place in Europe. Depor are seventh with
53 points.
There was high drama at the foot of the table when Athletic
Bilbao netted a last-minute equaliser to draw 1-1 at Sporting
Gijon and prevent them from climbing out of the relegation
places.
Sporting, 18th, are level on points with Getafe in 17th,
after Michel's debut on the bench for the Madrid-based side
failed to inspire a turnaround in their fortunes. They lost 2-1
at Real Mallorca.
Recreativo Huelva, 19th, closed to within a point of
Sporting after a stoppage-time volley from Nasief Morris earned
them a stirring 2-1 comeback win at 10-man Osasuna.
Numancia are bottom with 31 points.
(Writing by Mark Elkington; Editing by Ed Osmond and Alison
Wildey. To query or comment on this story email
sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)