La Liga wrap: Barca stunned late, Valencia held

Barcelona were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday, while Valencia only managed a point against Villarreal.

Cesc Fabregas put Barcelona ahead in the first half, but Alvaro Vazquez headed in a late equaliser to send the home fans into raptures.

The draw means Real Madrid hold a five-point lead at the top after their comfortable win against Granada on Saturday.

Barcelona dominated possession throughout, but were unable to capitalise on Fabregas’ goal and Mauricio Pochettino’s men made them pay.

Pep Guardiola’s side took a 16th-minute lead when the former Arsenal midfielder headed in a cross from Dani Alves, who had made a characteristic run down the right.

The visitors continued to dominate but failed to find a sealer, and Espanyol’s grit would earn them a point in the 86th minute.

Raul Rodriguez burst down the right and crossed to the near post where Thievy Bifouma’s flick on found Vazquez, who placed his header into the bottom corner.

Third-placed Valencia missed their chance to close the gap on Barcelona after they drew 2-2 at struggling Villarreal.

In coach Jose Molina’s first game in charge, relegation battlers Villarreal were on track for a first league win in five games when Marco Ruben struck and Gonzalo Rodriguez headed in to put them 2-0 up after 18 minutes.

But French attacker Sofiane Feghouli headed in a superb cross from Miguel to bring Valencia back into the game, before substitute Aritz Aduriz curled in an 87th-minute equaliser.

Real Betis recorded their third consecutive league win with a 2-0 victory against struggling Sporting Gijon.

Roque Santa Cruz and Jorge Molina were on the scoresheet for 10th-placed Betis, while Manuel Preciado Rebolledo’s relegation battling Sporting Gijon had Alberto Lora and substitute Carmelo sent off.

In other matches, Rayo Vallecano scored a surprise 2-1 win against Sevilla as Michu and Raul Tamudo netted before Julien Escude pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute.

Getafe and Athletic Bilbao played out a 0-0 draw in the day’s other game.