Valencia held 0-0 by Deportivo; Malaga upsets Mallorca

On the last day of games before the two-week winter break, Valencia enjoyed more possession and created plenty of chances, with David Villa a constant threat. However, the hosts looked dangerous on the break and Adrian Lopez was put through in the 28th, drawing a fine save from Cesar Sanchez.

Valencia increased its grip on the game in the second half and looked like scoring several times although Sergio Gonzalez should have put La Coruna ahead in the 63rd when he headed wide from a free kick.

Valencia remains fourth on 29 points, one behind Sevilla. Deportivo is on 27 points, in sixth, Atletico is 15th on 14 points and Tenerife is 14th with a point more.

On one of Atletico's rare forays deep into Tenerife's half, Maxi Rodriguez blasted a wild shot wide after doing well to dribble through the defense.

Tenerife's Nino nearly scored again on the half hour, when he dribbled into the area and sent a shot drifting across the goalface.

The hosts won a penalty just before halftime, when Alvaro Dominguez was harshly adjudged to have handled in the area. Sergio Asenjo guessed correctly and dived to his left to save Nino's kick.

Forlan had several chances as the clock ticked down and timed his run to perfection to take a long pass down the left from Jurado although Jose Antonio Culebras dispossessed him.

Relegation-threatened Malaga upset Mallorca 2-1, while Villarreal continued its recent progress up the standings by beating Racing Santander 2-0. Espanyol beat Almeria 2-0 and Valladolid defeated Sporting Gijon 2-1.

At La Rosaleda stadium Malaga's Fernando Fernandez scored in the 24th minute after goalkeeper Dudu Aouate failed to control a free kick.

Fernando Forestieri's header in the 77th clinched a crucial three points for Malaga after Julio Alvarez had equalized early in the second half.

At El Madrigal stadium, Joseba Llorente put Villarreal ahead in the 50th after a mix-up by the Santander defense. Giuseppe Rossi scored the second in the 73rd.

Villarreal is ninth on 21 points and Santander 16th on 13 points.

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