Primera Liga reports

Brief reports of Primera Liga matches played on Sunday:

ATHLETIC BILBAO 0 CELTA VIGO 0

A result that will satisfy neither side, Bilbao losing ground in the race for a place in Europe and Celta wasting an opportunity to improve their chances of survival in the top flight.

Bilbao had defender Aitor Karanka sent off in the dying minutes for a second booking, but had the better of the game and if it had not been for some top class work from Celta keeper Pablo Cavallero they would have made off with all three points.

ATLETICO MADRID 2 VALLADOLID 1

An important victory that puts Atletico in pole position to secure a place in next season's UEFA Cup, but they had to endure a nervous second half before they could claim the victory.

Atletico appeared to be on course for a comfortable home win after a deft finish from Fernando Torres and a powerful close range shot from fellow striker Veljko Paunovic put them 2-0 up at the break.

But Valladolid pulled one back when defender Pablo Ricchetti headed in from a corner on 65 minutes and dominated the rest of the game, having a goal disallowed for a borderline offside and hitting the post late on.

DEPORTIVO CORUNA 2 REAL BETIS 2

Deportivo effectively waved goodbye to their title hopes after they surrendered a two-goal lead to the Andalucians, who ended the game with 10 men after the dismissal of defender Washington Tais for a second booking.

Neatly fashioned first-half strikes from forward Albert Luque and midfielder Victor put Depor 2-0 after 17 minutes, but Betis pulled one back when Marcos Assuncao scored with a spectacular free kick just after the half hour.

Depor eased up after the break and paid the price when substitute Dani bundled in 19 minutes from time after another free kick.

OSASUNA 1 MALAGA 1

Malaga scrambled a draw that kept them in the race for a UEFA Cup place after Argentine Federico Insua headed home two minutes from time after good work from midfielder Edgar.

Uruguayan forward Richard Morales had given Osasuna the lead midway through the first half when he got his head to a 35-metre free kick from midfielder Patxi Punal and flicked the ball on into the top corner.

REAL MALLORCA 1 REAL SOCIEDAD 1

Mallorca can count themselves lucky to have scraped a draw as the referee failed to notice that forward Jesus Perera has scored the 59th minute equaliser with his hand.

Sociedad went in front on 33 minutes when midfielder Igor Gabilondo clipped in under keeper Leo Franco after Darko Kovacevic had cut a pass into his path in the area. They wasted several good chances to grab the win after Perera's equaliser.

REAL ZARAGOZA 2 RACING SANTANDER 2

Attack-minded Racing fought their way from two goals down to claim an important away draw that keeps both sides well clear of the danger zone.

Former Barcelona striker Dani put Zaragoza in front late in the first half when he rifled in at the near post after racing on to a smart back-heeled pass from David Villa, who added another after the break with an unstoppable close-range volley.

But Racing defender Pablo Casar cut the deficit three minutes later when he poked in a rebound and midfielder Fernando Moran earned his side a point when he completed a slick passing move with a fine left-foot shot nine minutes from time.

VALENCIA 2 MURCIA 0

Valencia looked as though they might end up being kept at bay by an ultra-defensive Murcia, but a rare goal from centre-back Mauricio Pellegrino broke the deadlock 17 minutes from time and helped Rafa Benitez's side keep the pressure on leaders Real.

The Argentine defender scored with a bullet header after substitute Jorge Lopez had swept in a corner with his first touch. Leading striker Mista made sure of the all-important win when he volleyed in from close range eight minutes from time.

Played Saturday:

ALBACETE 1 REAL MADRID 2

Real had free kick expert Roberto Carlos to thank for a somewhat fortunate win over a well-organised Albacete that ensured they will stay top of the table for another week.

The Brazilian gave Real the lead in the 19th minute when his 20-metre piledriver took a deflection off a defender and then put them 2-0 up midway through the second half when another powerful free kick ricocheted off team mate Luis Figo into the net.

But Albacete, who had matched Real for much of the game, refused to fold and pulled one back with a superb long distance effort from midfielder Libero Parri eight minutes from time to set up an exciting finish.

BARCELONA 0 VILLARREAL 0

Barca's attempt to extend their winning league run to a record-equalling 10 matches was frustrated with this goalless draw, a result which is also likely to have put an end to their slender hopes of winning the title.

Frank Rijkaard's side had several good chances to take the lead in the first half but were unable to find the finishing touch and Villarreal, fielding a host of former Barca players, finished strongly and came close to grabbing a late win.

SEVILLA 1 ESPANYOL 0

Sevilla ended a three-match losing streak and dealt a severe blow to Espanyol's hopes of preserving their top-flight status.

Striker Antonito grabbed the winner when he smashed the ball home from seven metres after fellow striker Dario Silva headed back across goal six minutes into the second half.