BARCA TURN HEAT UP ON REAL

BARCA TURN HEAT UP ON REAL

Barcelona provisionally moved back to the top of the Primera Division standings by becoming only the second team to take points off Real Mallorca at their Ono Estadi this season.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 63rd-minute strike - his third of the week - proved to be the winner.

Mallorca had won 12 of 13 matches at home coming into this game, having only lost to Sevilla previously, and they can feel somewhat unlucky not to have led at the break after hitting the post twice in the first period.

It proved costly when Xavi's corner was stabbed goalwards by Carles Puyol and, although his effort was blocked, Ibrahimovic was on hand to slot home from close range for his 15th goal of the season.

Real Zaragoza enjoyed a huge boost in their fight to avoid the drop after thumping third-placed Valencia 3-0, whose poor disciplinary record returned to haunt them as they once again finished with 10 men.

Zaragoza, having lost their past two matches, started the game just a point above the relegation zone but they put daylight between themselves and 18th-placed Tenerife thanks to goals from Carlos Diogo, Javier Arizmendi and Jiri Jarosik.

It was a night to forget for Valencia though, as they had to play the whole second half with a man less following the dismissal of Nikola Zigic on the stroke of half-time.

With that red card, Zigic became the eighth Valencia player to be sent off in the past 11 competitive games.

Alejandro Alfaro scored from the spot five minutes from time to snatch Tenerife a late point from a 1-1 draw away to fellow strugglers Malaga.

After an entertaining first half in which Tenerife missed a host of excellent chances to take the lead, Malaga began to dominate and looked set for victory when Apono bagged the opener after 66 minutes.

But the visitors refused to lie down and Nino won a penalty with five minutes left, which also saw Malaga defender Patrick Mtiliga sent off for bringing down the Tenerife striker.

Alfaro slotted home from the spot and the game ended with honours even, which will not have been an altogether satisfactory conclusion for either side.