Atlético fail to pounce on Barcelona slip

Leading duo FC Barcelona and Club Atlético de Madrid both dropped points in the Liga on Sunday to remain locked together at the top of the table.

Barcelona handed the initiative to Diego Simeone's men when they were held 1-1 at Levante UD ahead of Atlético's home meeting with Sevilla FC. Levante went ahead on ten minutes as Loukas Vyntra headed Andreas Ivanschitz's corner past Víctor Valdés. Barça responded just nine minutes later, with Gerard Piqué burying a header of his own, but that was as good as it got for the visitors. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas produced an excellent double save to deny Lionel Messi and Levante held on for a share of the spoils.

Atlético appeared poised to take maximum advantage in the late game when David Villa blasted into the net after Beto had kept out Juanfran's header. However, with 17 minutes remaining, Ivan Rakitić scored from the penalty spot after Juanfran had brought down Carlos Bacca. Sevilla lost Alberto Moreno to a late red card, but the Rojiblancos were unable to restore their lead.

Elsewhere, Villarreal CF went fourth as Ikechukwu Uche's early strike and Bruno Soriano's 87th-minute penalty secured a 2-0 win against 17th-placed UD Almería, while Getafe CF came from two down to earn a 2-2 draw against Real Sociedad de Fútbol.