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Match round-up - First Division, Day 13

Valencia are up to third spot after a 1-2 victory at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening. Bilbao youngster Muniain opened the scoring twelve minutes in to the second half after César could only push out a shot from Javi Martínez, but just four minutes later David Villa bounced a volley over Gorka to equalise, and Mathieu gave the visitors the lead later on with an impressive shot after Gorka cut out a cross from Mata. The hosts felt themselves unlucky not to save a point though despite having Koikili sent off, Iraola having a goal ruled out for a borderline offside, and David López firing a late penalty against the post after David Navarro fouled Javi Martínez.

Mallorca stay in sixth place after comfortably beating Zaragoza, their seventh home win in a row. Aduríz started things off shortly before half time after Chori Castro set him up, and the striker missed a couple more chances before he finally netted his second midway through the second half. Mario Suárez headed in Borja Valero's free kick for a third, and fellow substitute Keita rounded keeper López Vallejo to make it four before Ander headed in Jorge López's corner for a late consolation for the visitors.

Sporting Gijón are now four points behind Mallorca after a 2-1 defeat at Tenerife, although they hold on to seventh spot after Athletic's loss later in the evening. The Asturians appeared to be on track for an eighth game without a loss when Diego Castro gave them the lead in only the fourth minute. But Ricardo equalised ten minutes after the restart with a shot which took a deflection off a defender, and Nino drilled home the winner from an impossible angle a few minutes later.

Getafe stay two points below Sporting after they lost 3-2 at Villarreal later in the evening. Pedro León volleyed Michel's team in to an early lead after Marcano could only head back a Gavilán cross, but Capdevila equalised a quarter of an hour later. Soldado missed a sitter before that, but he made up for it with a penalty at the start of the second half after Cani was harshly sent off when he fell in to Casquero. Cazorla came on though for his first appearance after an injury lay-off, and within two minutes he had levelled the scores once again. And with a couple of minutes to go Capdevila got his second of the night to make it four straight home wins in a row for his side. Villarreal ended with nine men after Angel picked up a second booking in the last minute.

Espanyol's season is going from bad to worse, and there were serious protests from fans after they lost 0-4 to struggling Racing Santander. All the goals came after the break, with Henrique heading the Cantabrians in to the lead from a Canales free kick just two minutes after the restart. Canales himself got the second, and after Tchité converted a penalty following a trip by Pillud on Oscar Serrano, the 18 year old midfielder rounded off a special night with his side's fourth.

Racing stay in the relegation spots, but they are now two points clear of Málaga, who drew 1-1 against Osasuna. Masoud put the visitors in front two minutes after the restart, blasting a shot past Munúa after Aranda headed on a long throw. But with seven minutes to go Fernando let Apoño's long free kick go through his legs, and the ball went past everyone in to the net. It was a goal which probably saved the head of coach López Muñiz, giving the Andalusians their fourth draw in a row. (06.12.09)

Barcelona maintained their five point lead at the top of the table after beating Deportivo 1-3 on Saturday evening. A full strength Guardiola side dominated the first half, and went ahead when Messi drilled a low shot past Aranzubia after Alves set him up. Depor levelled the scores before the break with virtually their first effort on target, Valdés helping Adrián's header in to the net after Busquets could only head back Aranzubia's long clearance. But late in the second half Messi guided a header past the keeper from Pedro's cross, and with two minutes to go Ibrahimovic connected with a cross from Abidal to wrap things up.

Earlier in the evening Real Madrid had closed the gap on their rivals after a 4-2 win over Almería. Sergio Ramos started things off with a header from Cristian Ronaldo's cross on the half hour mark, but slack defending allowed Soriano and Kalu Uche to turn the scoreline around in a three minute period in the second half. Higuaín squared the match once again though, and Benzema restored the lead after Alves saved a Ronaldo penalty. Ronaldo scored a fourth a couple of minutes later, but then got himself sent off after picking up two bookings near the end.

Third placed Sevilla lost more ground on the leading two though after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Valladolid, their second home draw in a week. The visitors had the better of the opening minutes, and Manucho gave them the lead with a well placed header from a Diego Costa cross. Borja was sent off though soon afterwards for a foul on Perotti, and Luis Fabiano equalised from the penalty spot after Marcos fouled Navas on the stroke of half time. Mendilibar's side held on however in the second half for a valuable point.

Atlético Madrid's revival continued, and they moved up safely to mid-table after beating bottom club Xerez 0-2. Reyes brought a good save out of Renan before setting up Forlán for the opening goal with just under half an hour gone. And Agúero made it two midway through the second half after controlling Paulo Assunçao's long ball before beating the keeper. Domínguez was sent off for a second bookable offence before the end, but Sergio Asenjo made sure the Andalusians didn't score after that. (05.12.09)