Real Madrid defeat battling Villarreal to keep up the pace

1/27/2008
By Mike Perez, PA Sport, Madrid

Real Madrid stretched their lead at the top of the Primera Liga on Sunday after edging past battling Villarreal at the Bernabeu.

With second-placed Barca drawing with Athletic Bilbao earlier in the evening, Real's victory over Villarreal means the reigning champions are now nine points clear at the summit.