Real Sociedad moved level on points with Primera Divisi¢n leaders RC Deportivo La Coru¤a following a 3-1 win at Mallorca on Sunday.
Real Madrid’s surprise draw with struggling Recreativo de Huelva allowed Deportivo to go top on Saturday, and Real also moved a point ahead of the reining European champions only trailing the table-toppers on head-to-head record.
Mallorca have been the form team in Spain in recent weeks, beating both Deportivo and Madrid, but after Francisco De Pedro gave Real a ninth-minute lead, the Basque side never looked in any danger.
Valery Karpin added a second before Darko Kovacevic scored the third on 54 minutes to secure the points. A Samuel Eto’o’s goal on the hour was a consolation for Mallorca.
In the face for the fourth Champions League spot, Celta Vigo moved apoint ahead of out-of-sorts Valencia, but they were denied victory in a 2-2 draw with Racing Santander.
Juanfran put Celta in front, but on n 53 minutes, Celta goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero was sen off for dissent after conceding a penalty, subsequently converted by Javi Guerrero. Racing’s David Coromina was then sent off, and with eight minutes remaining, Edu’s penalty restored Celta’s lead. However, Racing earned a point in injury time through Diego Alonso.
Valencia continue to suffer a Champions League hangover. Since their defeat to Inter last month, Rafaell Benitez’s side have imploded and their sorry run continued with a 2-1 home defeat to lowly Villarreal. The victory moved the visitors six points clear of the bottom three.
Real Betis squandered the chance to strengthen their UEFA Cup position when they were held 1-1 by bottom side Rayo Vallecano.
The race for the final UEFA Cup spot has intensified with just two poitnts separating sixth placed Athletic Bilbao from eleventh placed Sevilla.
