Valencia drop points at Valladolid
 |
Valencia's Baraja failed to find a way through Valladolid's defense
Story Tools
|
MADRID, Spain -- Valencia were held to a goalless draw at Valladolid on Saturday, throwing their Spanish Liga lead into jeopardy.
The result extended Valencia's unbeaten run to nine games, but Real Madrid could reclaim top spot by beating Real Betis on Sunday.
Also on Saturday, Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw by Athletic Bilbao and last-placed Murcia fought back from two goals down for a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo.
Valencia seemed to lack inspiration without their suspended playmaker Pablo Aimar and failed to threaten after Mista and Roberto Ayala both wasted early chances.
Midfielder Rubens Baraja had a lucky escape when he only received a yellow card following a fiery second half clash with Valladolid's Jesus Sanchez.
Valencia too were lucky when keeper Santiago Canizares was forced to make a one-handed save from Congolese striker Ariza Makakula's towering header in the dying minutes.
"It was a fair result, one of those games which could have gone either way," said Valencia coach Rafael Benitez.
"The final pass wasn't there in decisive moments. In the second half they crowded the middle of the park and we didn't have much in the way of chances."
Valencia have 44 points, a two-point advantage over Madrid. Third-placed Deportivo Coruna, who have 37 points, face Real Zaragoza.
Barcelona had Edgar Davids making his debut against Bilbao following his loan move from Juventus, but the Dutch midfielder couldn't inspire his new club to victory, and picked up a yellow card in the last minute.
Patrick Kluivert fired Barca ahead on 63 minutes but Carlos Gurpegi struck for the Basque side with four minutes left.
French midfielder Peter Luccin put Celta ahead on seven minutes against Murcia and Savo Milosevic doubled their lead, but the match turned when Luccin was sent off and Diego Quintana and David Karanka hit back for the home side.
But Murcia are still without a win in 14 matches.
