Fabiano header sees off Osasuna challenge

A Luis Fabiano header gave Sevilla a 1-0 win over Osasuna and lifted them above Mallorca and into a Champions League place on Sunday.

The visitors took the game to Sevilla and had the chance to go ahead but a Javier Calleja shot was blocked by Andres Palop. Fabiano also had a good opportunity before his bullet header from an excellent cross by Diego Capel.

Earlier Deportivo la Coruna’s European hopes were dealt a blow as they were comfortably beaten by Espanyol 2-0.

Espanyol went ahead through Joan Verdu after 38 minutes but it was the expulsion of Antonio Tomas that really turned the game in the favour of the home side. He was shown a red card for elbowing Francisco Chica after the break and Jose Callejon soon added a crucial second goal.

Getafe lost the chance to move within a point of Deportivo in sixth when they drew 2-2 after conceding an injury time equaliser.

Pablo Piatti put Almeria ahead but Getafe turned the game on its head through Francisco Casquero and Roberto Soldado before Fernando Soriano’s grandstand finish.

Honours were even as Valladolid drew 1-1 against Zaragoza in a crucial relegation battle. Zaragoza were looking for their third successive win but were pegged back by a Diego Costa goal. Against the run of play Humberto Suazo equalised for Zaragoza and they hung on in the second half despite the sending-off of Ander Herrera.

Malaga gave their own survival hopes a boost with a comprehensive 3-0 win away at Racing Santander with Weligton Robson, Salvador Caicedo and Victor Obinna scoring the goals.

In Sunday’s late kick-off leaders Barcelona will have to cope with a defensive crisis against Atletico Madrid as they look to re-establish their five-point lead.

Coach Pep Guardiola only has Carlos Puyol, Gabi Milito and Cabelino Maxwell available as Eric Abidal, Dani Alves, Dmytro Chygrynskiy and Toure Yaya are all injured, while Rafa Marquez and Gerard Pique are suspended.

On Saturday Real Madrid put the pressure on Barca with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice in a 3-0 win over bottom side Xerez.

Mallorca meanwhile meet Tenerife in a new controversial Monday night time slot which has caused plenty of controversy. The Canary Island side are particularly unhappy as the match coincides with their famous carnival festivities.