Valencia move top in Spain as Real slip up again

Valencia took advantage of Real Madrid's second successive league defeat to move top of the Spanish first division with a gritty 2-1 win at Alaves on Wednesday.

Real turned in one of their worst displays of the season as they went down 2-1 at Valladolid, a result that took their winless streak away from home to seven games.

Santiago Canizares saved a penalty four minutes from time to safeguard victory for Valencia, who take over at the top with 42 points from 24 games. Real drop to third on 40 points, behind Celta Vigo on goal difference.

Valladolid took the lead against Real with a Fernando strike on the hour mark. After Fernando Morientes had equalised with a looping header, Jesus nodded in with two minutes left to earn the home side a deserved win.

Deportivo Coruna, who beat Celta 2-0 on Tuesday, are fourth, also with 40 points, behind Celta and Real on goal difference.

Barcelona now have those sides in their sights after second-half goals from Rivaldo and Javier Saviola earned the Catalans a 2-0 win at home to Real Sociedad and took them up to fifth on 39 points.

NO EXCUSES

Real were missing French midfielder Zinedine Zidane and centre-back Fernando Hierro through injury but coach Vicente del Bosque offered no excuses for his side's second away day defeat in four days.

"Valladolid played well, they gave it everything and they won," del Bosque said. "We'll look towards the future now.

"We're very disappointed but we're still in the leading group and we will be challenging for the title."

Real spent most of the first half penned back as Valladolid attacked with confidence.

The home side's first clear chance came on 17 minutes. Iker Casillas came racing out of his area but failed to reach the ball ahead of Fernando Sales, who was only just wide with his attempt to embarrass the Spanish international.

Real responded to that scare, with Figo forcing a fine save from Ricardo after bursting through on the right.

Tote should have done better for Valladolid when he was put clean through on goal on 35 minutes, the young striker only managing to squirt the ball out for a goalkick.

Steve McManaman and Albert Celades came on at the start of the second half and that shake-up in midfield gave Real an immediate boost as Morientes and Raul both went close.

Valladolid took the lead on the hour as Sales won the ball in midfield, advanced down the right and fired in a shot that Casillas could only block, leaving Fernando a simple tap-in.

Real must have had hopes of snatching victory when Morientes headed in a Luis Figo cross with 17 minutes still to go but Valladolid continued to press and clinched the win as Jesus beat McManaman to a header that sped past Casillas.