Madrid, Nov 22 (DPA) European champions Barcelona were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Athletic Bilbao, a result which leaves Real Madrid top of the Spanish Liga.
Earlier Saturday, Real had scored a controversial 1-0 home win over lowly Racing Santander. Real have 28 points from 11 games, Barca - who have drawn their last three away games - have 27.

This means that Real will go to Barcelona for next “Clasico” one point ahead of their historic rivals.

Barca turned in another flat display in Bilbao, partly because of the absence of several key figures through injury or swine flu.

Lionel Messi should have given Barca an early lead, but the little Argentine is in poor form. At the other end, Javi Martinez should have headed Bilbao ahead.

Nine minutes into the second half Xavi set up Dani Alves to make it 1-0 to Barca with a low drive.

But just nine minutes later supersub Gaizka Toquero levelled for the hosts with a clever half-volley, after tall striker Fernando Llorente had headed on a long ball.

Barca dominated the final phase but failed to create any clear chances.

“We have dropped two more important points tonight,” said playmaker Andres Iniesta, another Barca player out of form.

Earlier on Saturday Real had beaten luckless Racing Santander 1-0 at home.

“We have to improve our football,” said Real coach Manuel Pellegrini.

“It is always a risk to get to the end of the game with just a one goal advantage,” he added, “but we had chances to score more goals.”

Gonzalo Higuain put Real ahead, Sergio Canales had a late equalizer for Santander wrongly disallowed for offside.

Real, still without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, looked sharp in the first half. In the 23rd minute Santander keeper Tono pushed out a Kaka centre to Ezequiel Garay, who calmly set up Higuain to make it 1-0 from close range.

The whites could have increased their lead before half-time. Santander finally came out of their shell and should have been given an equalizer 13 minutes from time but Canales was wrongly ruled offside.

The final whistle was greeted with more relief than joy in the Estadio Bernabeu, with almost as many jeers for the hosts as cheers.

Earlier Saturday Sevilla consolidated themselves in third place with a 2-1 win away to lowly Tenerife. South Americans Diego Perotti and Renato scored for Sevilla, Nino struck late for Tenerife.

“We were very sharp today,” said the in-form Renato. “They are not a bad side, but we were a little bit better in all respects.”

Sevilla are now just two points behind Barcelona and three behind Real.

Argentine striker Perotti gave Sevilla the lead in the 33rd minute by turning in a centre from Spain winger Jesus Navas.

Four minutes after half-time, Renato made it 2-0 with a powerful drive, after being set up by Luis Fabiano.

Nino gave Sevilla hope by volleying home a handsome goal 14 minutes from time. But Sevilla had few problems in holding out for an important win.

Saturday’s other early game saw Deportivo Coruna score a late 2-1 win at home to troubled Atletico Madrid.

Sergio Aguero gave Atletico the lead after just three minutes, only for defender Daniel Colotto to make it 1-1 in the 22nd minute with a powerful header.

Deportivo dominated the second half but Atletico seemed poised to take home a point. In injury time, however, Pablo Ibanez pulled down Alberto Lopo for a clear penalty - and Andres Guardado made no mistake from the spot.

Atletico midfielder Clever Santana was sent off for his protesting about the late penalty.

Atletico remain third from bottom. Deportivo, in contrast, are now fourth, three points behind Sevilla.