Villarreal miss out on top

Villarreal missed out on a superb opportunity to move to the top of La Liga as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Primera Liga newcomers Almeria. It would've been the first time in "The Yellow Submarines" history they would've nabbed top spot.

Nihat Kahveci gave Villarreal the lead in the 13th minute, but Alvaro Negredo redirected Lopez Recarte's cross into the net in the 52nd.

Villarreal improved to 28 points, one less than leader Real Madrid, which tied 1-1 with Murcia on Saturday. FC Barcelona is third with 27 points.

Racing Santander beat Valencia 1-0. Goalkeeper Santiago Canizares misplayed Jorge Lopez's long range half-volley in the 70th as Racing stretched its three-year unbeaten run over Valencia.

Espanyol moved into fourth with 25 points after beating Osasuna 2-1. Angel Martinez and Valmiro Lopez each scored for the visitors, and former Madrid striker Javier Portillo had Osasuna's goal in the 75th.