Valencia edge top as Real Madrid lose away again

Valencia's 1-1 draw at Villarreal was just enough to take them back to the top of the Spanish first division on Saturday, as title favourites Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona stepped up the pressure on the leaders, though, as Patrick Kluivert's header three minutes from time earned them a valuable 3-2 victory at home to Deportivo Coruna.

Real's third successive away defeat in the league came after an appalling first-half display, which saw Bilbao take a 2-0 lead with a stunning left-foot strike from Tiko on the half-hour mark and a second by Asier del Horno on the stroke of halftime.

Fernando Morientes reduced the arrears 10 minutes after the break but despite concerted late pressure Real could not claim an equaliser.

Valencia did enough to take over top spot as Pablo Aimar came off the bench to equalise against Villarreal, who played the last 35 minutes with 10 men after Victor was sent off.

Valencia's draw left Deportivo needing a victory over Barca at the Nou Camp to take over at the top themselves.

Javier Irureta's side twice had the lead but the Catalans struck back through Luis Enrique, Javier Saviola and Kluivert to stay firmly in the race for the title.

With 26 games played, Valencia lead the standings on 44 points, with Real slipping to second on 43 ahead of Barcelona on goals scored.

Bilbao move up to fourth on 42 points, followed by Celta Vigo and Deportivo on 41.

Celta can replace Valencia at the top if they win their game in hand away at Malaga on Sunday.

"HORRIFIC" REAL

Real coach Vicente del Bosque recognised his side had paid the price for their failings in the first half against Bilbao, who gained a measure of revenge for their King's Cup semifinal defeat to the Madrid club.

"We were horrific in the first half," Del Bosque said. "I was pleased with the second half, when we played with desire but I'm very unhappy with the first.

"It's hard to explain why the team took so much time to get into the game. We set out trying to protect our lead at the top of the table but we kept losing the ball and we hardly got forward."

After Valencia had failed to take full advantage against Villarreal, who had taken the lead on 53 minutes through Rodolfo Arruabarrena, Barca and Depor looked set to let Real off the hook as well with their game heading for a draw.

Diego Tristan got in behind the Barca defence to make space on the edge of the box and fire Depor in front on 11 minutes.

Luis Enrique marked his return from injury by turning in a Rivaldo freekick six minutes later but they missed a stack of chances to go ahead and, predictably, the visitors took the lead again when Sergio headed in a cross from Victor on 67 minutes.

Rivaldo's juggling trick set up Saviola for the equaliser on 74 minutes, though, and Kluivert's diving header from Carles Puyol's expert cross earned the Catalans the win.