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Valencia slipped out of the top four after they were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Deportivo la Coruna.

Los Che striker David Villa scored the opening goal but was later sent off, allowing hosts Depor to salvage a point via the head of defender Adrian Lopez Piscu.

The home side had controlled the first half but lacked the cutting edge required to break Valencia down.

The visitors were gifted a goal on 24 minutes when midfielder Julian de Guzman's hooked backpass was intercepted by Villa.

The Spain international got to the ball before Piscu before curling a well-executed finish around the defender and into the top corner.

Having already picked a booking for a shameless feigning of injury, prompted by the Valencia bench, Villa then received his marching orders with less than 15 minutes left after catching Daniel Aranzubia as he charged down the goalkeeper's clearance.

Soon after, Valencia coach Unai Emery made a substitution as his side were preparing to defend a free-kick, and Joan Verdu's delivery was headed in at the far post by Piscu to leave the Galician side eighth and Valencia fifth.

GETAFE 1-1 ATHLETIC BILBAO

In-form Spain striker Fernando Llorente rescued a point for Copa del Rey semi-finalists Athletic as they came from behind to draw with Getafe.

Roberto Soldado headed the home side in front after 16 minutes, and their goalkeeper Jacobo Sanz saved a penalty from Andoni Iraola soon after. Llorente swivelled to level just before the break and almost grabbed a winner at the end.

OSASUNA 2-0 NUMANCIA

New Numancia coach Jose Rojo Martin 'Pacheta' had a debut to forget as he was shown a red card in the second half, and saw his side slip to the foot of the standings with their sixth successive defeat.

Improving Osasuna made it five games unbeaten with a second minute strike from Jaroslav Plasil. Masoud Shojaei poked in Juanfran's cross for the second before the break.

REAL MALLORCA 1-0 RACING SANTANDER

Mallorca scraped through against 10 men after being awarded a debateable penalty with two minutes left against Racing.

The visitors had had defender Ezequiel Garay sent off in the 49th minute and almost went in front when Pedro Munitis headed against the post. Mallorca were given a penalty at a corner and Jurado scored on the rebound, after Tono saved his spot kick.

REAL VALLADOLID 1-3 MALAGA

Malaga boosted their push for one of the European places with this win, and were set on their way by Albert Luque when he netted after only seven minutes.

Apono scored a penalty in the 29th to put Malaga 2-0 ahead. Valladolid hit the woodwork twice after the break and Pedro Oldoni headed one back in the 83rd, but Nacho sprinted away to lob Malaga's third at the end.

RECREATIVO HUELVA 1-1 ALMERIA

Almeria were on the back foot from the 21st minute when some theatrics from Iago Bouzon earned Albert Crusat a red card.

Javier Camunas put Recre in front with an excellent back-post header in the 58th. Almeria, who came back to win with nine men last week, levelled with a disputed penalty from Alvaro Negredo in the 75th.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport / Reuters