Mallorca go fourth but rue missed chance

Champions League hopefuls Real Mallorca moved a point above Sevilla into fourth with a 1-1 draw at Real Zaragoza on Wednesday although the islanders will see it as a missed opportunity to turn the screw on their rivals.

Sevilla lost 2-1 at Valladolid on Tuesday but Mallorca, surprise challengers for the top four, could not punish the slip-up as their dismal away form continues to hinder their push for fourth.

Defender Ruben Rocha put Mallorca into a 13th minute lead but Chilean Humberto Suazo equalised with a fine solo goal on 21 minutes.

Mallorca have just two wins on their travels all season – the same as bottom side Xerez – compared to 13 victories from 15 games at home.

Promoted Zaragoza are four points above the bottom three and are one of six teams trying to stay in the top-flight.

Malaga are one of those and twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Osasuna on Wednesday as they hover three points above the drop zone.

Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani put Osasuna ahead twice in the 10th and 48th minutes but Malaga fought back with Salvador Caicedo (32 min) and Nabil Baha (76) on target.

Malaga lie three points above Tenerife and four ahead of Valladolid who both won on Tuesday to close in.

Bottom side Xerez have clearly not waved the white flag in the relegation dog-fight stunning Atletico Madrid with a 2-1 win at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.

Mario Bermejo headed Xerez into a surprise ninth minute lead but it lasted barely three minutes as Uruguayan forward Diego Forlan equalised with his 17th league goal of the season.

However, Emiliano Armenteros had a free header to bag the winner on 72 minutes for only their second away win of the season.

Xerez are six points from safety with six games left while Atletico are eight points off the top six although they have a Kings Cup final and Europa League semi-final to look forward to.

Elsewhere Racing Santander took a giant stride towards safety with a 3-1 home victory over Espanyol to move six points clear of the relegation zone.

Espanyol went ahead through Ivan Alonso but two penalties from Mohamed Tchite (36 min, 50) helped Racing to a crucial win.

Champions and league leaders Barcelona host Deportivo La Coruna later on Wednesday looking to open up a six-point gap over Real Madrid at the summit.

Barcelona beat Real 2-0 in ‘El Clasico’ at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday to move three points clear although hardline coach Pep Guardiola said his team could not afford to take their foot off the gas.

“It is barely an advantage. In an instant that we lose focus, they (Real) could catch us,” said Guardiola.

“We won against Madrid because we ran like animals. That is the path we have to take to win the title.”

Real Madrid travel to Almeria on Thursday as they look to put their Clasico disappointment behind them with a convincing win.

The pressure is mounting on coach Manuel Pellegrini who has seen his expensively-assembled ‘Galacticos’ fail in the Champions League and be beaten twice by Barcelona in both Clasicos.

“It is our responsibility as much as Pellegrini’s and we are all a team together,” said Real midfielder Xabi Alonso. “We are right behind the coach we have now.”