Valencia held to draw by Recreativo Huelva

Oct 27, 2008 - 1:09 AM By PA SportsTicker

Valencia lead the Primera Liga by a point despite being held to a 1-1 draw at struggling Recreativo Huelva.

David Villa bagged his ninth goal of the season to extend their unbeaten start to the season after Javier Camunas had given the hosts a surprise lead early in the second half.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are hot on Valencia's heels though, with the two giants both a point off the pace.

Gonzalo Higuain scored twice as Madrid claimed a battling 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao in a fiery encounter at the Bernabeu.

Madrid looked to be cruising at 2-0 after early goals from Wesley Sneijder and Higuain, but Athletic stunned the Spanish champions by drawing level through Joseba Etxeberria and Andoni Iroala.

However, Higuain scored his second before Athletic had Fernando Amorebieta sent off.

Fourth-placed Villarreal missed the chance to go level on points with Valencia after being held to an extraordinary 4-4 draw by Atletico Madrid.

Simao Sabrosa and former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan put Atletico 2-0 up but had Ever Banega send off in the 38th minute and Villarreal took full advantage with Marcos Senna, Joseba Llorente, Gonzalo Rodriguez and Guiseppe Rossi all getting on the scoresheet.

However, late goals from Simao and Raul Garcia rescued an unlikely point for the visitors.

Adrian scored the only goal as recently-promoted Malaga beat 10-man Sevilla 1-0.

Sporting Gijon ended 10-man Deportivo La Coruna's proud home record with 3-0 win at the Riazor.

Real Mallorca beat Espanyol 3-0 with Numancia defeating Racing Santander 2-1 and Getafe seeing off Real Valladolid 1-0.