Madrid, Nov 29 (DPA) Sevilla and Valencia both failed to make up ground on Barcelona and Real Madrid after being held to disappointing home draws by Malaga and Mallorca in the Primera Liga.
Sevilla came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw against Malaga thanks to a brace from Luis Fabiano, Valencia conceded a late 1-1 draw at home to defiant Mallorca, Saturday.
These results leave Valencia fourth with 25 points and Sevilla third with 26. Sevilla are just one point behind second-placed Barcelona, who are at home to leaders Real Madrid in Sunday’s eagerly awaited “Clasico”.
Sevilla dominated from start to finish against Malaga but surprisingly went 2-0 down, due to shock goals from Fernando and Duda.
In fact, Malaga almost went 3-0 up at the start of the second half. Then Luis Fabiano took centre stage, scoring two goals within 15 minutes to level the match for the hosts.
Sevilla came close to snatching a late win but Malaga – who are now fourth from bottom – held firm.
Earlier Saturday, Valencia had been held 1-1 by dogged Mallorca, for whom Borja Valero equalized from the penalty spot with just five minutes left.
The disappointing draw leaves Valencia fourth level 25 points with third-placed Sevilla, who are at home to bottom team Malaga later Saturday.
This is the third time this season that Valencia have thrown away the lead at home late on.
“We really should have won tonight,” said veteran anchorman David Albelda, “with all the chances that we had.”
League top scorer David Villa had a goal disallowed for off-side early on, as the hosts took command.
Villa finally scored in the 48th minute, scoring from close range after a cleverly-worked corner.
Valencia should have settled the issue with a second goal. Juan Mata went close, Joaquin hit the Mallorca post with a splendid volley.
In the 85th minute Valencia right-back Bruno Saltor clumsily pulled down Gonzalo Castro for a clear penalty, which Borja calmly put away.
Mallorca stay in sixth place, one point above lively Sporting Gijon, who beat Villarreal 1-0 earlier Saturday – despite an astonishing late show from Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
Lopez, Spain’s third-choice keeper, had looked sharp from the start and had done well to keep out the rapid Gijon forwards.
In the 73rd minute Gijon were given a clear penalty when Villarreal defender Gonzalo Rodriguez pulled down Miguel de las Cuevas – and was sent off.
Lopez did well to save Alberto Rivera’s penalty – but Gijon substitute Mate Bilic followed up to put away the rebound and make it 1-0.
Three minutes from time Sebastian Eguren pulled down Bilic for a second penalty, which Lopez saved from the Croatian striker.
Even so, the hosts had few problems in holding out for an important win, which takes them up to seventh, level with Mallorca on 20 points.
“It was a difficult game,” said Bilic, “but I think that both of the penalties were fair.”
He added that “we are playing quite well now, and teams are finding it difficult against us”.
Villarreal stay in 11th place, with just 12 points.
rounak