Valencia pegged back by Betis
Saturday, October 2, 2004
Article summary
Valencia CF moved a point clear of FC Barcelona at the top of the Primera División despite being held.
Article body
By Andy Hall
Valencia CF moved a point clear of FC Barcelona at the top of the Primera División but missed a chance to further increase that lead as they were held 1-1 by Real Betis Balompié, while Real Sociedad de Fútbol lifted themselves from the foot of the table after beating Club Atlético de Madrid 1-0.
Valencia pegged back
Marco Di Vaio chalked up his fifth league goal of the season with a low drive fired inside the left post from outside the area on nine minutes to give Valencia the lead. Ironically it was former Valencia striker Ricardo Oliveira who provided the cross for Betis's equalising goal which arrived half an hour later through Edu. Betis now lie eleventh, while Valencia could be overhauled when Barcelona welcome CD Numancia in one of eight Sunday fixtures.
Real victory
With new signing Mikel Arteta on the substitutes' bench, Real took the game to Atlético from the off. Darko Kovacevic headed in a Valeri Karpin cross late in the first half to claim what proved the winner, although Jorge and Antonio López both struck the woodwork late on for the visitors, who fall to fifth on goals scored, while Real are 13th.
