| Barcelona made it seven trophies out of nine in the Pep Guardiola
era as they overcame a nervy opening to thrash Real Valladolid,
relegated as a result, at the Nou Camp this evening and seal a second
successive league title on an exciting last day of the Primera Division
season.
Having won all of the first six competitions they had disputed
since the arrival of coach Guardiola, the Catalans were left with
just the Primera Division title to fight for at the end of this
campaign, following a quarter-final exit in the Copa del Rey and
a semi-final elimination in the Champions League recently.
And they were pushed all the way by fierce rivals Real Madrid in
a thrilling climax to the domestic season.
But a win at home to Valladolid tonight guaranteed the title, whatever
Manuel Pellegrini's side did in Malaga.
Luis Prieto's own-goal set Barca on their way after 27 minutes,
and Pedro's fine strike all but sealed the title shortly afterwards,
before Lionel Messi added a second-half brace to secure matters
as Madrid slipped up in Malaga.
It was Barca's second Primera Division success under Guardiola,
who also claimed the Champions League, Copa del Rey, Spanish and
European Supercups and World Club Cup titles in 2009.
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