Villarreal in picture after Alaves win

Villarreal eased to a 3-1 victory over Alaves on Saturday to move clear of Atletico Madrid in third in La Liga and stay in contention to win the Spanish title.

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Alberto Moleiro, Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze struck in the second half to cut leaders Barcelona's lead to eight points, having played one fewer game than the Catalan champions.

Villarreal climbed three points ahead of Atletico and within four of secondplaced Real Madrid, who have both also played an extra game.

"We hope we're capable of winning [our game in hand] too and adding three more points to this extraordinary first half of the season," Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia Toral told DAZN.

Alaves kept the hosts at bay comfortably in a first half of few clear chances, but Villarreal stepped up a gear after the interval.