League round up

Valencia held Barcelona to a draw at the Nou Camp on Sunday while Celta Vigo went second with an impressive home win over Real Betis. Deportivo stayed top after their win over Real Zaragoza on Saturday.

Barca, who won the same fixture last year thanks to Rivaldo's awesome hat-trick, came from behind twice to earn the point in an absorbing see-saw clash.

Salva sent the Ches, in fourth, into the lead on 20 minutes after a tremendous counter-attacking cross from Juan Sanchez.

The goal came after the referee was forced to stop proceedings for Valencia to attend to goalkeeper Santiago Canizares, later replaced between the posts by Andres Palop. The Spain stopper collided with various players when he came out to collect a corner.

But Barca were back on level terms when Argentina prodigy Saviola tapped home a defence splitting ball from Phillip Cocu.

The game went quiet before it burst into life twenty five minutes into the second half when defender Carlos Marchena put Valencia into the lead on 72 minutes with a strike from distance.

But the Barca response was swift. Gabri equalised a minute later with another raking long-range strike that took a deflection off Cocu.

Celta confirmed their excellent start to the campaign with a surprisingly straightforward 3-1 win over high-flying Betis.

The Galicians struck through Argentinina midfielder Gustavo Lopez on 13 minutes and Brazilian frontman Catanha increased the lead on 29 minutes when he slotted into the corner after great work from Gustavo Lopez down the left flank.

Russian Alexander Mostovoi made it 3-0 in the dying stages when he smoothly beat Cesar Prats in the Betis goal from the spot. Calado bagged a stunning consolation from outside the box in injury time - but it was to mean nothing.

Former Real Madrid striker Tote blasted a hat-trick as Real Valladolid demolished Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at San Mames.

The youngster scored the opener for Valladolid on 36 minutes before extending the lead five minutes later. He hit his third on 74 minutes, when Mexican Cuathelmac Blanco also scored. Bilbao had got one back through Urzaiz on 55 minutes.

Struggling Real Sociedad, in penultimate spot, continued their abject start to the season when they lost to fellow relegation candidates Rayo Vallecano, under the command of new boss Gregorio Manzano.

Midfielder Pablo Sanz struck for Rayo on 20 minutes but Igor Gabilondo hit the leveller for Sociedad on 36 minutes.Rayo clinched the victory with a goal on 54 minutes from midfielder Luis Cembranos.

Malaga came from a goal behind to record an excellent 2-1 victory over Villarreal at El Madrigal.

Striker Victor put the hosts in command within sixty seconds of the whistle. Malaga equalised just past the half-hour through Panama forward Dely Valdes. Uruguay frontman broke the deadlock on 69 minutes.

Tenerife secured an important win over in-form Osasuna at El Sadar. Pablo Paz and Ivan Ania did the damage in a two-minute spell late in the second half.

Las Palmas beat Espanyol 2-0 with strikes from Jorge on 73 minutes and Tevenet from a penalty soon after.