Barca five points behind Real for derby draw

 　　MADRID, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona dropped to five points behind Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga following a 1-1 draw with Espanyol on Sunday.

　　Barca could only draw 1-1 away to neighbors Espanyol in a thrilling and controversial game. Against an inspired and motivated home side, Barca took a first half lead through a Cesc Fabrigas header, which was their 100th goal in all competitions this season.

　　However, Espanyol regrouped in the second half and Barca never looked comfortable, although it appeared they would hang on for a vital win. However, Alvaro Vazquez scored a header five minutes from time to make it 1-1.

　　An exciting game still had time for more drama and Barcelona should have had a penalty in the 92nd minute following a clear handball in the Espanyol penalty area by Raul Rodriguez, but referee¹ Turienzo Alvarez waved away Barca's desperate appeals.

　　Sunday's matches kicked off with Rayo Vallecano returning to win at home to Sevilla. Jose Antonio Reyes made his return for the visitors after completing his move from Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

　　Goals from Micho and Raul Tamudo gave Rayo a 2-0 lead, before Julien Escude pulled a goal back for the visitors with half an hour remaining.

　　Athletic² Bilbao have now gone eight years without ever winning away to Getafe, but Marcelo Bielsa's side can took the consolation³ of a point back home with them after a dull 0-0 draw in the Alfonso Perez Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.

　　Aritz Aduriz scored a late equalizer to give Valencia a 2-2 draw away to Villarreal and ruin Jose Molina's debut⁴ as home coach. Marco Ruben and Gonzalo Rodriguez put Villarreal 2-0 up after just 17 minutes, but Sofiane Feghouli pulled one back before the break and Aduriz's goal three minutes from time assured a share of the points.

　　Betis chalked up their third consecutive⁵ win with a 2-0 triumph over struggling Sporting Gijon.

1 referee   

n.裁判员．仲裁人，代表人，鉴定人

参考例句：

• The team was left raging at the referee's decision.队员们对裁判员的裁决感到非常气愤。
• The referee blew a whistle at the end of the game.裁判在比赛结束时吹响了哨子。

2 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。

3 consolation   

n.安慰，慰问

参考例句：

• The children were a great consolation to me at that time.那时孩子们成了我的莫大安慰。
• This news was of little consolation to us.这个消息对我们来说没有什么安慰。

4 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

5 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。