Goal-shy Valencia frustrated in Tenerife

Valencia missed the chance to move level on points with second-placed Real Madrid following a frustrating 0-0 draw at promoted Tenerife on Sunday.

Valencia had scored nine goals in their last three matches but could not find the breakthrough against Tenerife and now trail Real by two points in third having played one game more.

Tenerife had their chances too but had to be content with a point although it is not enough to move them out of the relegation zone.

It was a frantic game with both sides going for the throat and it was chances galore with David Silva the main culprit for Valencia while Alejandro Alfaro missed Tenerife’s best openings.

Valencia sit five points ahead of Real Mallorca, who reclaimed fourth spot with a 1-1 draw at Espanyol on Sunday.

An 80th minute penalty from Borja Valero salvaged a point for Mallorca, who go above Deportivo La Coruna on goal difference.

In other matches, Villarreal got back to winning ways with a 4-2 victory over struggling Real Zaragoza at El Madrigal.

The hosts went three goals up inside the first 25 minutes with Spanish international full back Joan Capdevila, Brazilian forward Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi on target.

Zaragoza came back with two goals in the final quarter hour to ensure a nervous few minutes for Villarreal before Ariel Ibagaza wrapped up the game with a fourth on 87 minutes.

Despite the win Villarreal are still down in ninth, seven points off the desired European places.

Zaragoza are second from bottom and coach Jose Aurelio Gay has not tasted victory in his five league matches in charge.

Elsewhere, bottom side Xerez still can’t get their points total into double figures losing 2-1 at home to Osasuna with Javier Camunas netting the winner seven minutes from time.

Xerez have eight points from their first 19 games in their first ever season in the Spanish top-flight and need a miracle in the second half of the season to stay up.

Later on Sunday Real Madrid host Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu looking for a 10th consecutive home win in the league to cut Barcelona’s eight-point cushion at the summit.

Real lost 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao last time out and can’t afford to start slipping up at home after Barca beat Valladolid 3-0 on Saturday.

“Things can happen quickly in football and we just have to concentrate on improving away from home and staying on track at home,” said French midfielder Lass Diarra.

“We don’t need to be worried about what Barcelona are doing.”

Barcelona have become only the fifth side to go the first half of the season unbeaten and no Spanish side has ever gone an entire 38 game season without losing.

The two other Madrid-based sides Getafe and Atletico Madrid lock horns in a derby at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in Sunday’s late match.

Atletico have won three league games on the spin but are notoriously unpredictable and Getafe midfielder Javi Casquero admits he does not know what to expect.

“We don’t know which Atletico we are going to come up against,” explained Casquero. “However, they deserve our utmost respect because they have some top-quality players.”