Celta cruises to 4-2 win at Almeria in Spain

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Celta Vigo outclassed Almeria on Sunday, winning 4-2 as forward Manuel "Nolito" Agudo scored two goals and set up another to keep the hosts in the Spanish league's relegation zone.

Almeria's Rodrigo Rios hit the post in the 10th minute, but Celta dominated the rest of the game through forwards Nolito, Rafina and Fabian Orellana.

Rafina set up the opener when his deflected shot fell to Nolito to score in the 19th.

Rios leveled in the 40th, only for Nolito to find Charles to cap a buildup started by Orellana in the 52nd.

Another flowing move saw Nolito score from a pass by Orellana in the 71st before Rafina lobbed the ball behind the defense for Orellana to add a fourth in the 75th.

Oscar Diaz got Almeria's second goal in the 88th but his side was left two points from safety with four matches to play. Celta, meanwhile, climbed into the middle of the standings.

"We went out there with the same philosophy we have had all season," said Nolito, referring to coach Luis Enrique's attacking style. "We have to celebrate this win because it is a big step toward staying up."

Later, Barcelona hosts Athletic Bilbao needing a win to keep alive its dwindling hopes of defending its Spanish league title. Barcelona's players and coach will be judged by their fans at Camp Nou after returning from three stinging defeats that threaten to leave the Catalan club without a major trophy for the first time since 2007-08.

Also, Sevilla welcomes Granada while Real Betis visits Rayo Vallecano.