Mallorca go second after Valencia slip up
League champions Valencia missed their chance to put pressure on leaders Real Sociedad when they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at struggling Osasuna in the Spanish first division on Sunday.
League champions Valencia missed their chance to put pressure on leaders Real Sociedad when they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at struggling Osasuna in the Spanish first division on Sunday.
Real Mallorca displaced Rafael Benitez's side from second place in the standings and extended their club record winning streak to seven matches when they came from behind to claim a 2-1 win away to Racing Santander.
Sociedad, who lead the table on goal difference from Mallorca, have a chance to restore their three-point lead when they visit Real Madrid at the Bernabeu later on Sunday.
Osasuna, who had lost their previous three matches, grabbed their shock win thanks to an early goal from Ivan Rosado.
The Osasuna striker flicked a delicate header past keeper Santiago Canizares after he found himself unmarked following a Pablo Garcia free kick on seven minutes.
The Navarran side could have gone further ahead soon after when Gerardo Rivero found himself free at the far post, but the Argentine midfielder miscued his shot to the visible relief of the out-of-sorts Valencia defence.
The league champions struggled to find their rhythm and suffered another setback when inspirational Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar was forced to leave the pitch midway through the first half with a suspected muscle strain.
Just before the half hour the home side had yet another chance when John Aloisi was left with only Canizares to beat, but Argentine defender Roberto Ayala chased back to dispossess the Australian striker just as he was lining up his shot.
Valencia rarely threatened the Osasuna goal and it was Javier Aguirre's side that continued to control the game throughout the second half to earn themselves a deserved win.
Mallorca showed patience and strength of character as they fought their way back against Racing after Ismael gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot on 33 minutes.
Argentine winger Ariel Ibagaza curled a free kick past keeper Jose Maria Ceballos from the left side of the area to equalise just before halftime.
Uruguayan centre-forward Walter Pandiani scored the winner when he smashed home from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half after Samuel Eto'o was adjudged to have been pushed in the area.