23/04/2013 00:00
TW
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Mallorca1 Villareal2 CAMEROON striker Samuel Eto'o missed an injury-time penalty that condemned Mallorca to a costly defeat and left them just two points above the relegation zone. Defender Quique Alvarez gave Villarreal the lead when he got his foot to a Marcos Senna free kick, but the islanders were back on level terms before the break thanks to an Eto'o penalty given after the referee adjudged that Alvarez had handled the ball in the area. Midfielder Pedro Marti put Villarreal in front again in the 79th minute when he collected the ball after a rebound from a Victor shot, but Mallorca spurned a last chance to salvage a point when he saw his spot kick saved by keeper Pepe Reina. It was a blow for Mallorca who had thought that their battle to stay in the First Division was over after a 2-0 victory last weekend over Betis.
Real Mallorca now face Valladolid this weekend, who are just a point above them in a match which the islanders cannot afford to lose.
At the top of the table Valencia reclaimed the leadership of the Primera Liga by the skin of their teeth on Sunday after a last-gasp strike by leading scorer Mista earned them a priceless 2-2 draw at home to Real Sociedad. Trailing 2-0 to the visitors midway through the second half, Valencia drew on all their reserves of strength to claw their way back into the match and clinch the draw that allowed them to return to the top ahead of Real Madrid. With five games to go Valencia and Real both have 70 points, but Rafa Benitez's side lead the table by virtue of their better head-to-head record against the reigning champions.