Defending champions Barcelona dropped more points at the top of the table following a draw at Almeria, while Deportivo La Coruna defeated struggling Tenerife.
Lionel Messi was Barcelona's saviour as the Argentine star scored two equalisers to ensure his side, who had Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent off, at least earned a 2-2 draw with Almeria.
Domingo Cisma had put Almeria in front in the 12th minute, but Barca's mercurial No.10 restored parity with an excellent free-kick three minutes before half-time.
Barcelona centre-back Carles Puyol, though, then scored a calamitous own goal in the 57th minute to allow 13th-placed Almeria to regain the lead.
Things went from bad to worse for Barca as Ibrahimovic was shown a red card in the 61st minute for an off-the-ball clash, but Messi rescued his side a point five minutes later.
Deportivo boosted their hopes of a return to European competition with a comfortable 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Tenerife.
Miguel Angel Lotina's side had to come from behind to win the points, though, as Juanlu Hens gave the Canary Islanders a shock lead after 17 minutes.
Juan Rodriguez levelled with a header shortly after the half-hour mark and second-half strikes from Andres Guardado and Diego Colotto ensured all three points for the Galicians. |
