MADRID, 16 March 2004 — Valencia closed the gap on leaders Real Madrid to just four points at the top of the Primera Liga on Sunday thanks to a 2-0 win at relegation-threatened Celta Vigo. Rafa Benitez’s side were given the chance to narrow Real’s lead after the champions dropped points at home for only the second time this season.

Real were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Zaragoza on Saturday in a dress rehearsal for next week’s King’s Cup final.

Midfielder Francisco Rufete grabbed both Valencia goals, volleying in from 10 meters out after keeper Pablo Cavallero spilled a free kick five minutes before the break and then finishing off a rapid counterattack in injury time.

Earlier in-form Barcelona made the most of a slip-up by Deportivo Coruna to overtake the Galicians and climb to third place in the table with a 2-0 victory over basement club Murcia.

Frank Rijkaard’s side notched up their eighth league win in a row thanks to an early strike from Argentine striker Javier Saviola and a pin-point shot from Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho just after the hour.

Deportivo, meanwhile, look to have waved goodbye to their title chances following their 4-2 loss at struggling Real Mallorca.

The weekend’s results mean that with 10 games left Real Madrid top the table on 61 points, four ahead of Valencia and nine ahead of Barcelona, while Deportivo are in fourth a further two points back.

Mallorca, who had not won in their last six outings, got off to a great start in the game of the day when the unmarked Fernando Correa smashed home a volley on seven minutes.

Depor managed to draw level when winger Pedro Munitis netted from close range but a headed goal from defender Ivan Ramis and a penalty from Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o put the home side 3-1 up on the hour.

At the other end of the table, Murcia’s defeat against Barcelona leaves them heading for a rapid return to the second division, while Espanyol’s bid to escape from the drop zone suffered a setback when they lost 1-0 at home to Racing Santander.

Celta are also in serious trouble following their loss to Valencia. Radomir Antic’s side are now five points adrift of Real Mallorca in 18th place in the 20-team division.

AJ Auxerre Stop Monaco in Ligue 1 Title Race

In Paris, Monaco’s lead at the top of Ligue 1 was reduced to two points as the Champions League quarterfinalists were held to a goalless draw at UEFA Cup contenders AJ Auxerre on Sunday.

With ten games remaining until the end of the season, Monaco are on 59 points. Olympique Lyon, who also reached the Champions League last eight midweek, are on 57 after their 2-1 win at Sochaux on Saturday.

Paris St. Germain lie third on 54 after a 1-0 win at bottom club Le Mans. Sochaux stay fourth on 49 and AJ Auxerre fifth on 47.

Auxerre’s flying strikers had the best of the first part of the game with Djibril Cisse missing two chances in the first 15 minutes.

The Ligue 1 leading scorer miskicked when he was set up in front of goal by a swift counter-attack led by Bonaventure Kalou and Olivier Kapo and then wasted a Yann Lachuer center.