Valencia, FC Barcelona produce thrilling draw

 　　MADRID, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- League leaders Valencia and reigning¹ champions FC Barcelona produced 90 minutes of thrilling football in the Mestalla Stadium.

　　Barcelona were able to battle back from falling behind twice in the match to take a valuable point.

　　Valencia took the lead thanks to an own goal from Eric Abidal early in the match, only for Pedro Rodriguez to equalize two minutes later.

　　Pablo Hernandez restored Valencia's lead after 22 minutes as the game turned from end to end, but Cesc Fabrigas saved a point and Barcelona's unbeaten record 13 minutes from time when he equalized from a Leo Messi pass.

　　Barcelona had chances to win the match in the closing minutes, but a defeat would have been harsh² on a Valencia side that is well organized and hard working and for the moment at least offers an alternative to the Barca-Real Madrid duopoly.

　　In contrast to Valencia and Barcelona, Real Madrid produced a horrible performance to only draw 0-0 away to Racing³ Santander.

　　Coach Jose Mourinho made changes to his side with Sergio Ramos and Angel de Maria on the substitutes' bench, but his side never really looked like beating Racing and managed just two shots on target all game.

　　Oscar Serrano had the best chance of the game for Racing with a shot well saved by Iker Casillas, while at the other end Tono, did well to tip over from De Maria, who came into the game as a second half substitute.

　　With the draw in Santander and Sunday's defeat against Levante, Real Madrid have dropped five points from two teams, who are among the favorites for relegation⁴.

　　A fine free kick taken by Malaga winger Santi Cazorla gave his side a 1-0 win at home to Athletic⁵ Club Bilbao. Athletic have lost their last three matches and under coach Marcelo Bielsa the Basques are suffering their worst start in over 30 years.

　　Radamal Falcao scored his second hat-trick in a week as Atletico Madrid beat Sporting Gijon 4-0. Alvaro Dominguez scored the other goal as Atletico produced another fine display against a Sporting side that has lost its first four matches of the season.

　　Wednesday also saw Levante win 2-1 away to Rayo Vallecano. Valdo and Sergio Ballesteros but the visitors 2-0 ahead and although Raul Tamudo pulled a goal back for Rayo, Levante held on for their second win in two matches.

　　Three games were played on Tuesday night. Osasuna recovered from their 8-0 defeat away to Barcelona on Saturday by holding Sevilla to a 0-0 draw in Pamplona, the home side claimed they should have had a penalty⁶ for a second half handball from Sevilla's Diego Perotti.

　　Real Sociedad took their second win of the campaign with a 1-0 win against Granada. Defender⁷ Dani Estrada scored a 63rd cross-shot to give the Basque side all three points.

　　Finally Villarreal returned to winning ways against a Mallorca side that looks worse with every game. Giuseppe Rossi after seven minutes and Nilmar early in the second half put Villarreal on their way to a 2-0 win.

　　It was Villarreal's first triumph of the season, while Mallorca have lost their last three games.

　　Thursday sees Espanyol entertain Getafe and Betis receive the visit of Zaragoza, knowing they will go top of the table if they win.

1 reigning   

adj.统治的，起支配作用的

参考例句：

• The sky was dark, stars were twinkling high above, night was reigning, and everything was sunk in silken silence. 天很黑，星很繁，夜阑人静。
• Led by Huang Chao, they brought down the reigning house after 300 years' rule. 在黄巢的带领下，他们推翻了统治了三百年的王朝。

2 harsh   

adj.严厉（酷）的，刺耳的，刺目的，毛糙的

参考例句：

• The sunlight is very harsh.太阳光很刺眼。
• Although his words are harsh,there is positiveness in them.虽然他的话很苛刻，但有建设性。

3 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

4 relegation   

n.驱逐，贬黜；降级

参考例句：

• Liaoning team lost this game, is still deeply avoid relegation zone. 辽宁队本场失利后，仍然深陷保级区。 来自互联网
• In society, relegation is based on your income. 社会上的规类是以你的收入为基准。 来自互联网

5 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。

6 penalty   

n.处罚，刑罚，罚款

参考例句：

• If you knock the ball with your hand in football,you will suffer a penalty.如果在踢足球时你用手碰到球，你将受到处罚。
• One of those arrested could face the death penalty.被捕的那些人中有一人可能被判死刑。

7 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。