Sevilla, Valencia Slump To Surprise Defeats

Mallorca were inspired by midfielder Jurado who scored the opener, won the penalty and bagged the third just before the break.

Sevilla and Valencia failed to keep the pressure on champions Real Madrid and leaders Barcelona as both slumped to defeats in the Primera Liga on Sunday.

Sevilla were beaten 2-0 at home by Racing Santander, who played for nearly an hour with ten men, and Valencia were surprised 3-1 away by struggling Real Mallorca.

Runaway leaders Barca are 15 points clear at the top after sweeping aside Numancia 4-1 at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

Second-placed Real, who are level on 38 points with Sevilla, can cut the gap with a victory at home to Deportivo Coruna in Sunday's late game.

Fourth-placed Valencia have 34 points and are ahead of Villarreal on goal difference, after Manuel Pellegrini's side were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Osasuna on Saturday. Atletico Madrid are sixth with 32 points after failing to make the most of Valencia's slip-up, drawing 1-1 at seventh-placed Malaga.

Racing's towering Serbian striker Nikola Zigic did the damage at the Sanchez Pizjuan, despite his team mate Oscar Serrano getting sent off in the 32nd minute.

Zigic's header at a freekick in the 24th was saved only for Cesar Navas to put away the rebound, and he muscled his way through to poke in Pedro Munitis's low freekick just after the re-start.

Earlier, Mallorca dragged themselves off the foot of the table with a comprehensive demolition of Champions League hopefuls Valencia.

Mallorca, who last won a league game at the end of October, were inspired by midfielder Jurado who scored the opener, won the penalty for the second which Jose Luis Marti scored, and bagged the third just before the break.

Vicente pulled one back for the visitors but Mallorca were always the better side and they climbed to 18th.