Valencia climb to third in Spain

Valencia moved into third place in the Spanish first division with a 3-1 win at Real Betis on Sunday, while Barcelona returned from the Christmas break with an impressive 2-0 home win over Real Zaragoza.

Goals from Salva Ballesta, Adrian Ilie and a Ruben Baraja penalty gave Valencia victory in an untidy game that saw both sides finish a man short.

The result moved Valencia from seventh place to third, as they leapfrogged above Betis and took advantage of surprise home defeats for Basque sides Athletic Bilbao and Alaves.

Real Madrid claimed top spot with 35 points at the season's halfway point -- giving them the honorary title of winter champions -- thanks to a 3-1 win over Deportivo Coruna at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Depor slip to second on 33 points, ahead of Valencia on goal difference, while Celta Vigo lie fourth after they were held 2-2 at home to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Bilbao, who lost 2-1 at home to Tenerife on Sunday, are fifth with 31 points, ahead of Betis on goal difference.

Alaves drop to eighth after their 2-0 defeat at home to Osasuna, although they have a game in hand.

Barcelona's home win, which featured goals from Patrick Kluivert and Javier Saviola, moved them up one place into seventh, five points behind the leaders.

INEXPLICABLE HANDBALL

Valencia appeared set for a comfortable win over Betis as they raced into a 2-0 lead inside 16 minutes.

Salva nodded in the first from a right-wing cross on eight minutes and Adrian Ilie's mis-hit shot eight minutes later doubled the lead for Rafa Benitez's side.

The sending-off of Betis defender Luis Fernandez for a second yellow card on 42 minutes heaped further trouble on the home side, but they managed to reduce the arrears just before halftime as Capi fired in from close range.

An inexplicable handball from Salva on 58 minutes earned him a second booking and his marching orders and Betis were suddenly back in the game.

However, Baraja restored Valencia's two-goal lead when he won a penalty 11 minutes from time which he slotted in himself.

"My team came back from the holidays with their homework done," said Valencia coach Benitez.

"We worked hard and were pushed all the way by Betis. To score three goals against them is worth something."