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Villarreal fought back from 2-0 down to share a 3-3 draw with Valencia in a scintillating La Liga encounter at the Mestalla.

The home side went ahead inside a minute, when Ruben Baraja found himself unmarked to head home Joaquin's left-wing cross.

Valencia doubled their lead on nine minutes - David Villa finishing with aplomb after a wonderful pass from David Albeida found the Spanish international inside the box.

Villa then hit the post, and Joaquin the bar, as Valencia threatened to run riot with a magical display of attacking football that left Villarreal with no answer for much of the first half.

But the chances went begging and when substitute Fabricio Feuntes headed home from a corner on the brink of half-time Villarreal were right back in the match.

Both sides then wasted a host of chances in the second half, before Joseba Llorente levelled the match on 75 minutes with a thumping finish after Valencia goalkeeper Brito Renan had saved his initial effort.

Parity lasted less than two minutes, with substitute Edu rising to head home a Joaquin left-wing cross to put Valencia 3-2 ahead.

There was still a final twist to come. Joan Capdevilla made a break inside the Valencia box and won a penalty when Joaquin was adjudged to have pulled him back.

Giuseppe Rossi stepped up and calmly stroked home the spot-kick to end a night of remarkable drama and deny Valencia the chance to remain in second place and close the gap on leaders Barcelona.

Deportivo La Coruna 1-3 Sevilla

Ten-man Sevilla recovered from a goal down to beat Deportivo La Coruna 3-1 at the Riazor Stadium and rise to second in La Liga.

Luis Fabiano, Dirnel Renato and Diego Capel were on target for Sevilla, who had midfielder Enzo Maresco sent off late in the first half for an off-the-ball incident involving Rodolfo Bopido.

Depor went ahead on 34 minutes when Joan Verdu released Bodipo with a well-timed pass. The forward cut inside and shot low to catch Sevilla goalkeeper Andrew Palop napping at the near post and put the home side ahead.

Maresco's red card appeared to galvanise the visitors, however, as did the introduction of Frederic Kanoute at half-time.

It was Kanoute who laid on Sevilla's equaliser for Fabiano early in the second half, breaking on the right and crossing low to the front post - the striker crashing an unstoppable first-time shot past Daniel Aranzubia.

Kanoute played provider again on 78 minutes, turning sharply and sending over a fine cross towards Renato. The Brazilian dived to head home in style and put the visitors ahead.

Sevilla capped their inspired comeback in injury time when the impressive Jesus Navas burst through and laid on substitute Diego Capel for a straightforward tap-in.

Will Tidey / Eurosport