Ten-man Valencia held league leaders Real Sociedad to a 1-1 draw away from home on Sunday to leave the Spanish title race finely poised with two games left to play.Sociedad, bidding to stretch their lead at the top to three points, went ahead through Xabi Alonso on 35 minutes but an Anthony Reveillere strike levelled the score almost immediately and eventually proved enough to give outgoing champions Valencia a point. The result restored Sociedad’s one-point lead over Real Madrid, who were also held to a home draw, 1-1 against Celta Vigo on Saturday. After 36 games, Sociedad lead the standings on 73 points, followed by Real Madrid on 72. Deportivo kept their faint title hopes alive with a 3-2 win at home to Atletico Madrid that kept them in third place on 69 points.Celta hold on to the fourth Champions League place, a point ahead of defending champions Valencia in fifth. While the championship battle is likely to go down to the wire, the relegation places were resolved on Sunday, with Rayo Vallecano, Recreativo Huelva and Alaves losing their first division status.In the race for the final UEFA Cup place on offer, victories for Sevilla and Barcelona put increased pressure on Athletic Bilbao, who are now holding on to sixth place by just two points after a 1-1 draw at Villarreal.Real Madrid’s setback at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday left Sociedad the chance to move three points clear with just six points left to play for.After the exchange of goals late in the first half, Sociedad took complete control when Roberto Ayala was sent off after 57 minutes for a handball that earned him a second yellow card. The home side had most of the possession and all the chances after that but Valencia managed to hold on to leave everything still to play for at the top. (Reuters)
