Villarreal CF missed the chance to return to second place in the Liga after a 1-1 draw at Real Sporting de Gijón, while a heavy away reverse prevented RCD Espanyol from rising to fourth.

FC Barcelona's 5-0 victory against Sevilla FC on Saturday meant the Yellow Submarine needed a four-goal triumph to reclaim second spot and they appeared to be sinking as soon as Diego Castro converted a 69th-minute penalty for Gijón. Gonzalo's red card seven minutes later added to the struggle but Juan Carlos Garrido's charges dug deep and snatched a point thanks to Giuseppe Rossi's 94th-minute spot kick.

Espanyol were hoping to leapfrog Valencia CF, who were held 1-1 by Real Zaragoza yesterday, but they became RC Deportivo La Coruña's first victims this term as Adrián, Alberto Lopo and Diego Colotto secured the hosts a 3-0 success. Club Atlético de Madrid are sixth despite drawing 1-1 with UD Almería, while two rungs lower are Athletic Club, who downed Getafe CF 3-0. Elsewhere, there were victories for Real Sociedad de Fútbol, 2-1 at Málaga CF, and Real Racing Club, who beat CA Osasuna 4-1.

Results

Standings

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