Barca thrash Espanyol as Atletico exit title race

By Richard Martin BARCELONA, May 8 (Reuters) - Barcelona closed in on the La Liga title by thrashing local rivals Espanyol 5-0 on Sunday as Atletico Madrid dropped out of the race after losing 2-1 at Levante and Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-2. Barca top the standings on 88 points, Real moved into second on 87 and Atletico have 85 with one game remaining. Barca went ahead in the eighth minute when Lionel Messi curled a 22-metre free kick into the top corner with a magnificent finish.