Mallorca's 4-2 win in Huelva leaves Recreativo second from bottom, four points from safety, while Espanyol defeated Betis 2-0to climb out of the bottom three, something that looked impossible just two months ago. Athletic Bilbao also looks to be safe from relegation thanks to a 2-1 win against Racing Santander in a game where referee Gonzalez Vazquez set a new record after showing 17 yellow and 6 red cards.

Just seven days previously the same referee had shown 15 yellows and two reds in a game between Valencia and Sevilla.

Finally Valladolid and Osasuna produced a dull 0-0 draw in the Nuevo Zorilla stadium.

Barcelona could only draw 2-2 away to Valencia on Saturday night in a tight game. Valencia had won its last five league matches, but Barcelona took a first half lead through Leo Messi.

A bad mistake from Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes gifted Valencia a goal just before half time and the home side took the lead a minute later through winger Pablo Hernandez.

The league leader threw everything at Valencia in the second half and was rewarded in the last 10 minutes, when Thierry Henry levelled the scores.

Valencia meanwhile is now looking a hot favorite to finish in the top four and even to finish third ahead of Sevilla.

Saturday also saw Malaga draw 1-1 with Deportivo La Coruna in agame between two sides hopeful of playing in Europe next season, while Almeria won 2-1 at home to Numancia.

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