Valencia beat Barca to close in on leaders

Valencia put themselves firmly in the title race with a 2-1 home win over leaders Barcelona in the Primera Liga last night.

Two quick goals early in the second half from Miguel Angel Angulo and David Silva settled a hotly contested match, which saw Valencia's David Albelda and Barca's Deco sent off for a pair of ugly challenges near the hour mark.

Ronaldinho pulled a goal back for the visitors with a free-kick at the end.

Barcelona remain top with 46 points but they were joined by Sevilla who beat fifth-placed Atletico Madrid 3-1 at home in the late kick-off.

Valencia climbed to third on 42 points above Real Madrid due to their superior goal difference. Real dropped to fourth after they were held 0-0 at home by Real Betis on Saturday (see also page 46).

Earlier yesterday, Recreativo Huelva moved up to seventh in the table with a 1-0 home win over Real Sociedad, two points behind sixth-placed Real Zaragoza.

Ten-man Celta Vigo secured their first win in 12 league games thanks to a second-minute header from Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano.

They had midfielder Fabian Canobbio sent off just before the break but hung on for the three points.