Bay Ledger News Zonebill@blnz.comtag:www.blnz.com,2009:people/cesc_fabregastag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/17/Messi_Villa_combine_sink_Rayo_f767

David Villa expressed his delight at returning to top form as he scored and set-up two goals for Lionel Messi as Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 3-1 to restore their 13-point lead at the top of La Liga.

2013-03-17T22:40:42ZAFP Global Editionby Kieran Canningtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/15/Bosque_leaves_Puyol_Torres_e0ce

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque on Friday left Carles Puyol and Fernando Torres out of his 24-man squad for the World Cup qualifying matches against Finland and France later this month.

2013-03-15T11:14:49ZAFP Global Editionby Kieran Canningtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/09/Alexis_Messi_goals_Barcelona_past_24aa

Barcelona assistant manager Jordi Roura was delighted finally to keep a clean sheet as the Catalans extended their lead at the top of the table to 14 points with a 2-0 win over Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday night.

2013-03-09T23:03:20ZAFP Global Editionby Keiran Canningtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/09/Alexis_Messi_goals_Barca_past_d935

A much-changed Barcelona side warmed up for their Champions League clash with Milan on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Deportivo la Coruna to open up a 14-point gap at the top of the table.

2013-03-09T21:09:07ZAFP Global Editionby Keiran Canningtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/08/Fabregas_targeting_return_form_Barcelona_46fe

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has highlighted the importance of getting back to winning ways against Deportivo la Coruna this weekend, ahead of the crucial Champions League clash with AC Milan on Tuesday.

2013-03-09T01:43:47ZAFP Global Editionby Kieran Canningtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/03/Arsenal_dark_Gulf_takeover_reports_4f5b

Arsenal have had no contact over a potential takeover, sources told the Press Association on Sunday, amid reports of a looming record bid by a Gulf consortium.

2013-03-03T19:28:30ZAFP European EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/03/Football_Arsenal_dark_Gulf_takeover_9303

Arsenal have had no contact over a potential takeover, sources told the Press Association on Sunday, amid reports of a looming record bid by a Gulf consortium.

2013-03-03T19:24:21ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/03/02/Casillas_wary_Barcelona_backlash_8f90

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas is expecting a backlash from Barcelona when the two meet again in the league on Saturday after Madrid's 3-1 victory over the Catalans on Tuesday.

2013-03-02T11:44:23ZAFP Global Editionby Kieran Canningtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/02/26/Ronaldo_double_helps_Real_sink_6732

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his fine goal scoring record at the Nou Camp with a brace as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 3-1 to go through to the final of the King's Cup 4-2 on aggregate.

2013-02-26T23:02:30ZAFP Global Editionby Tim Hanlontag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/02/26/Kaka_Villa_await_chance_Spanish_4b81

Playmaker Kaka is hoping to be involved as Real Madrid try to salvage their season when they travel to face Barcelona in the second-leg of their Spanish Cup semi-final Tuesday with the tie finely poised at 1-1.

2013-02-26T11:52:15ZAFP Global Editionby Kieran Canningtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/02/26/Arsenals_£178_million_profit_puts_13fd

Arsene Wenger will face renewed calls to splash out on new signings after Arsenal announced a pre-tax profit of £17.8 million in their half-yearly financial results.

2013-02-26T05:15:55ZAFP European EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/02/25/Arsenals_£178_million_profit_puts_13fd

Arsene Wenger will face renewed calls to splash out on new signings after Arsenal announced a pre-tax profit of £17.8 million ($26.8 million, 20.3 million euros) in their half-yearly financial results.

2013-02-26T02:45:36ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/02/20/Boateng_Muntari_strike_Milan_stun_3379

Ghanaians Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari both scored in a lively second half as AC Milan inflicted a shock 2-0 defeat on Barcelona in their Champions League last 16, first leg, at the San Siro here Wednesday.

2013-02-20T22:45:23ZAFP Global Editionby Justin Davistag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/02/17/Messi_nets_goals_Barcelona_c5c2

Barcelona assistant manager Jordi Roura hailed 300-goal Lionel Messi after the Argentine's double helped his side come from a goal down to beat Granada 2-1.

2013-02-17T06:00:04ZAFP Global Editionby Kieran Canningtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/02/16/Messi_hits_300th_Barcelona_goal_9da7

Barcelona assistant manager Jordi Roura hailed 300-goal Lionel Messi after the Argentine's double helped his side come from a goal down to beat Granada 2-1 on Saturday.

2013-02-16T22:32:03ZAFP Global Editionby Kieran Canningtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/02/06/Bosque_praises_Spain_attitude_b271

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque believes his side's 3-1 win over Uruguay will prove good preparation for their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France in March.

2013-02-07T02:17:23ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/01/30/Madrid_Barcelona_all-square_Clasico_clash_ac89

French youngster Raphael Varane headed in a late goal as Real Madrid salvaged a 1-1 draw against bitter rivals Barcelona in their Spanish Cup semi-final first-leg clash on Wednesday.

2013-01-30T22:43:13ZAFP Global Editionby Dermot Ledwithtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/01/24/Four-goal_Barcelona_Real_clash_26f5

Barcelona defeated Malaga 4-2 on Thursday to set-up a mouthwatering Spanish Cup semi-final clash against bitter rivals Real Madrid.

2013-01-24T23:06:12ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/01/18/Walcott_agrees_Arsenal_deal_b00f

Theo Walcott ended months of speculation on Friday by signing a contract extension with Arsenal.

2013-01-18T17:19:44ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2013/01/13/Messi_keeps_record-breaking_Barca_points_8b99

Barcelona set a new record for the best-ever start to a La Liga season on Sunday when a 3-1 win at Malaga allowed them to remain 11 points clear of Atletico Madrid and 18 in front of Real Madrid.

2013-01-13T22:54:52ZAFP Global Editionby Dermot Ledwith