La Liga Round-Up

Valencia closed the gap on leaders Real Madrid to one point with a hard-fought 2-0 win over struggling Murcia at La Mestalla.

The home side had to wait until the second half before they could end Murica's stubborn resistance.

Defender Mauricio Pellegrino broke the deadlock on 73 minutes with a towering header for his first goal of the season.

Mista made sure of the win with a clinical volley seven minutes from time to keep them on Madrid's tails.

Deportivo La Coruna's slim title hopes suffered another blow as they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Real Betis.

The home side raced into a two-goal lead with strikes from Albert Luque (13) and Victor (16), but Betis refused to give in.

Brazilian midfielder Marcos Assuncao pulled one back on 33 minutes and Benjamin Esono completed the comeback 15 minutes from time.

Struggling Celta Vigo picked up a precious point in their bid to avoid the drop with a hard-fought goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao.

Atletico Madrid boosted their European hopes with a narrow 2-1 win over Valladolid.

Spanish international Fernando Torres fired the hosts in front on 23 minutes, but Pablo Richetti drew Valladolid level ten minutes later.

Veljko Paunovic grabbed the winner for Atletico right on the stroke of half time.

Osasuna's European hopes suffered a blow after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Malaga.

Richard Morales fired the hosts in front on 23 minutes, but Federico Insua's last-gasp goal (90) earned Malaga a point.

Mallorca and Real Sociedad shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw at Son Moix.

Igor Gabilondo had given Sociedad the lead on 33 minutes, but Guillermo Pereya levelled matters just before the hour mark.

Racing Santander fought back from two-goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at Real Zaragoza.

The home side broke the deadlock on 38 minutes through Dani and David Sanchez Villa doubled the lead four minutes after the break.

Pablo Casar gave Santander hope with a goal on 53 minutes and Fernando Moran secured the draw with an 81st minute equaliser.

Click on fixture for full match summary

Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo
Atletico Madrid v Valladolid
D Coruna v Real Betis
Mallorca v Real Sociedad
Osasuna v Malaga
Real Zaragoza v Racing Santander
Valencia v Murcia

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