Valencia slump as Helguera keeps Real in pole position
A good week for Real Madrid ended with a 1-0 away defeat for reigning champions Valencia on Sunday, leaving the 'meringues' heading for the title as well as the Champions League quarter-finals.
A good week for Real Madrid ended with a 1-0 away defeat for reigning champions Valencia on Sunday, leaving the 'meringues' heading for the title as well as the Champions League quarter-finals.
Joseba Etxebarria's 39th-minute chip for Basque side Bilbao left Valencia in fourth spot, eight points adrift of Real, who picked up a fortuitous 1-0 win Saturday at Villarreal thanks to a last-minute goal from Ivan Helguera, one of his side's few unsung names.
Helguera's 89th-minute strike could prove precious as the two sides just below Real, Real Sociedad and Deportivo La Coruna, also recorded victories.
Valencia now have to get up off the canvas as they prepare to take on Arsenal on Wednesday - the Spaniards needing to win to claim a quarter-final Champions League slot.
Adding to Valencia's problems Fabio Aurelio missed a penalty and hothead striker Mista was sent off for taking a premature freekick before it was awarded.