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Match round-up - First Division Day 35

Barcelona's title celebrations were put back a few days after a last minute equaliser gave Villarreal a 3-3 draw in the Nou Camp. Pep Guardiola's side appeared to be cruising after they went 3-1 up at the break, an Eto'o strike and an Alves free kick giving them a two goal cushion after Llorente had cancelled out Keita's early goal. But Mati Fernández got one back from the penalty spot after Abidal was sent off for a foul on Nihat, and in the second minute of injury time Llorente got his second of the night to put a damper on Barça's plans.

Later in the evening Atlético Madrid stayed in touch for a place in the Champions League after coming from two down to beat Espanyol 3-2. Abel Resino's side seemed to be on the way to defeat when Perea was sent off on the half hour mark, and then when Nené converted a penalty and Jarque scored a second goal. But strikes from Forlán and Agüero soon after the restart levelled the scores, and Forlán got the winner in injury time.

Before the two matches kicked off Deportivo had temporarily occupied fifth spot after a 1-2 win at Recreativo. Verdú put the Galicians ahead early on, and although Colunga made it all square shortly before the break, Pablo Alvarez restored the lead after Filipe set him up four minutes in to the second half. The defeat leaves Recre further down in the relegation zone.

Málaga are still only two points off the UEFA Cup spots though after a late 1-0 win over Racing Santander. It was a dull match though before the locals were awarded a penalty after Luccin fouled Adriano, Albert Luque stepping up to drill home the spot kick. Racing are still not entirely safe after a third defeat in a row.

Bottom club Numancia are closer to going down after they could only draw 0-0 at Valladolid. The best chances fell to Aranda late on, although Juan Pablo had to keep out Goitom near the end to ensure a point. Results elsewhere though mean they are now four points off safety with only three games to go.

Sporting Gijón are also running out of time, and they stay in the bottom three after a 3-1 defeat at Almería. Carmelo did head them in to an early lead, but Nieto equalised before the break and goals from Kalu Uche and Piatti after the restart gave the home side the three points.

Getafe moved three points clear of the drop zone though after beating fellow strugglers Osasuna 3-0, a first win for new coach Michel. Granero opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Miguel Flaño was sent off, and the ex Real Madrid winger got another soon after the restart. Uche made it three right about the same time that his brother scored for Almería, and numbers were evened up when Adrián was shown a red card later on. Osasuna are now only two points off the drop zone, and they have to meet the top three clubs in their final games. (10.05.09)

Real Madrid lost 3-0 to Valencia on Saturday evening, giving Barcelona the chance to tie up the league title if they can win on Sunday. Mata opened the scoring against his old club after a quick passing move with just under half an hour on the clock, and Silva made it two just three minutes later with a long shot which Casillas couldn't prevent from entering the net. And Baraja scored a third with a spectacular volley midway through the second half to ensure that Unai Emery's side stay in fourth place for another week.

Earlier in the evening third placed Sevilla kept up their push for a Champions League spot after coming from behind to beat Mallorca 3-1. Aduríz picked up a cross from Jurado to open the scoring for the visitors on the quarter hour mark, but after Escudé and Luis Fabiano both rattled the woodwork, Kanouté equalised from the penalty spot. And in the second half strikes from Luis Fabiano and Jesús Navas made sure that the Andalusians stayed four point clear of their closest rivals with three games to go.

Athletic Bilbao had other things on their mind when they lined up against Betis, and Joaquín Caparrós made eleven changes in preparation for Wednesday's Cup Final against Barcelona. Even so they ran out 1-0 winners to make sure of first division football next season, leaving the Andalusians just three points above the drop zone pending Sunday's games. Ion Vélez got the only goal after Muñoz set him up early on. (09.05.09)