Madrid, February 10:

FC Barcelona drew Sevilla 1-1 thanks to Xavi Hernandez’s 75th-minute equaliser but missed the chance to trim Real Madrid’s lead in the Spanish league on Saturday.

While the result maintained Barcelona’s unbeaten start to 2008, Madrid will increase its advantage to eight points on Sunday if it beats Valladolid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for an 11th straight league win. Diego Capel opened the scoring in the 35th minute for Sevilla, which had midfielder Seydou Keita ejected in the 77th for a second yellow card.

Elsewhere, Guille Franco’s injury-time goal helped Villarreal edge lowly Murcia 1-0. The Mexico striker hit a low shot from what appeared to be an offside position to move Villarreal up to third and boost its hopes of appearing in next season’s Champions League by finishing in the top four. Deportivo La Coruna’s recent improvement came to a halt when it drew 1-1 with visiting Getafe.

Madrid leads the league with 53 points, while Barcelona has 48, six more than Villarreal.