Tenerife secured a vital 1-0 win against Real Mallorca in their bid to avoid relegation in their First Division clash on Monday.
The Canary Island side are now just one point from safety, while the result means that high-flying Mallorca have failed to return to a top-four place.
Despite enjoying one of the best seasons in their history, Mallorca’s away record has not been so impressive and they went behind to a Juan Nino goal after 13 minutes.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Tenerife had a further chance to add to their lead through Nino before Mallorca presented their first real danger from a Mario Suarez shot, and then an effort from distance by Borja Valero was saved well by ’keeper Sergio Aragoneses.
In the second half, Mallorca pushed forward, but they left space at the back and Tenerife went closest to scoring again through Julian Omar but he was denied by a fine block from ’keeper Dudu Aouate.
Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat away at Atletico Madrid means that their advantage at the top of the table is down to two points with Real Madrid having made no mistakes in a 3-0 win over Xerez.
The reigning champions were forced to field a makeshift defense with so many players out and Atletico had little problem exposing their weaknesses with first half goals for Diego Forlan and Simao Fonseca. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored Barca’s only goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo had scored a double as Real beat bottom side Xerez to put the pressure on Barca.
A cool Juan Mata strike rescued a point for a battling Valencia side who drew 1-1 against Sporting Gijon, and Sevilla gave their Champions League hopes a boost by beating Osasuna 1-0 in a workmanlike performance.
A stormy finish saw three men sent off as Villarreal drew 2-1 with Athletic Bilbao.
Deportivo la Coruna slipped up, losing 2-0 away at Espanyol, while Getafe conceded a late injury time equalizer to only draw 2-2 with Almeria.
Honors were even as Valladolid drew 1-1 against Zaragoza in a crucial relegation battle and Malaga gave their own survival hopes a boost with a comprehensive 3-0 win away at Racing Santander.
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