Dubious Cani goal keeps Villarreal in hunt

Villarreal needed a dubious goal to keep up their Champions League chase closing to within three points of the top four with a 2-1 home win over Recreativo Huelva on Thursday.

Cani scored a controversial 67th-minute winner for Villarreal for their first win in six games but relegation-threatened Recre were furious claiming Cani’s chip hadn’t crossed the line.

Villarreal move three points behind fourth-placed Valencia, 2-1 winners over Real Betis on Wednesday, and will hope Barcelona can turn over their Champions League rivals this Saturday.

Recre took the lead after just 56 seconds following a terrible mix-up in the Villarreal defence and Javi Camunas was alert stealing possession before poking home his ninth goal of the season.

Villarreal were struggling but Joseba Llorente raced onto a great pass from Ariel Ibagaza and produced a great chip over the goalkeeper to equalise in the 40th minute.

Giuseppe Rossi almost put the hosts ahead close to half-time but a heroic goal-line block denied the former Manchester United man.

Recre threatened to go back in front in the second period but fell victim to Cani’s controversial goal.

The winger used his quick feet to get in behind the defence and his chip looked to have been cleared off the line but the referee awarded a goal.

Recre were so convinced it wasn’t goal that they continued to play on and appealing Villarreal players had to wait several seconds before knowing whether the goal had been awarded.

Several protesting Recre players were booked as they vented their frustration at the referee who then angered the home players by disallowing an inswinging free-kick from Nihat.

Recre drop to second from bottom following the defeat with Espanyol climbing above them courtesy of a 3-0 win over relegation rivals Sporting Gijon on Thursday.

Espanyol have put a brilliant run together at the right time with 10 points from the last 12 and are now just one point behind Sporting, who are clinging to the final safety spot.

Brazilian Nene, on a season loan from Monaco, opened the scoring before Roman Martinez and Jose Callejon scored twice in as many minutes to wrap up the points.

Atletico Madrid travel to out of sorts Racing Santander later on Thursday needing to close the six-point gap on Valencia.

“At this stage of the season each team is fighting for their future,” said Atletico coach Abel Resino. “Racing are fighting to stay up and we have to fight to the death if we want to reach our target.”

Racing were fighting for the Champions League last season but have had a difficult campaign and are just four points above the relegation zone.

Real Mallorca are another side looking to secure their top-flight status with one more win and hope it arrives in Thursday’s late match against Valladolid.