Spain round-up: Real draw leaves title in balance

Real Sociedad CF moved one point ahead of Real Madrid CF at the top of the Primera División following a 1-1 home draw against Valencia CF on Sunday.

Madrid slip
Having seen Madrid held to the same scoreline by RC Celta de Vigo on Saturday evening, Real had the chance to move three points clear of their title rivals but were stifled by a resilient Valencia. Xabi Alonso fired the hosts in front on 33 minutes, only for full-back Anthony Reveillere to equalise with a deflected effort a minute later.

Finely poised
Valencia were then reduced to ten men when Roberto Ayala was dismissed following a second yellow card. The draw leaves the title race finely poised with just two matches remaining but Real have the upper hand, holding a better head-to-head record against Madrid. After 36 games, Real lead the standings on 73 points, followed by Madrid on 72.

Deportivo close
Third-placed RC Deportivo La Coruña kept their slim title hopes alive with a 3-2 victory at home to Club Atlético de Madrid. Deportivo were reduced to ten men after six minutes when Nourredine Naybet was sent off for a professional foul but they twice came from behind and snatched a late winner through Juan Valeron to move closer to the leaders.

Trio relegated
At the other end of the table, Club Atlético Osasuna's 2-0 victory at Real Valladolid means that Rayo Vallecano, Deportivo Alavés and RC Recreativo de Huelva are all relegated. Both Rayo and Alavés went into the weekend needing victory, plus a favour from Valladolid, to stand a chance of playing first division football next term. While goals from Cesar Palacios and Valdo were taking Osasuna to victory, Rayo were drawing 1-1 away to RCD Mallorca and Alavés were going down 1-0 at home to Real Betis Balompié.

Immediate return
Recreativo did have the chance to live to fight another day but they lost 1-0 at Sevilla FC to fill the third and final relegation slot and make an immediate return to the second division.

Bilbao held
Athletic Club Bilbao kept hold of the sixth and final European place with a 1-1 draw away to Villarreal CF, but Sevilla and FC Barcelona moved to within two points of the Basque side with weekend victories. Barcelona took the lead at home to Málaga CF with a Javier Saviola header midway through the first half but a Dely Valdes penalty brought the visitors level. Gaizka Mendieta converted from the penalty spot to seal the victory for Radomir Antic's side.