Madrid, November 3:

Reigning champions Real Madrid lost ground on leaders Barcelona after dropping two points in a 1-1 draw with Almeria in Spanish La Liga on Sunday.

Pablo Piatti equalised with nine minutes left to deny Real victory after captain Raul Gonzalez had put them ahead shortly before half-time. Real now sit third two points behind Barcelona. Valencia are level on 20 points with Real while Villarreal are a point ahead in second.

Earlier, Sevilla were left to rue the sending-off of striker Luis Fabiano as the 10-men visitors surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Valladolid as they crashed to a second successive league defeat.

Premiership

BOLTON: Ricardo Gardner inspired Bolton to a much-needed win as they beat Manchester City 2-0 in the English Premier League. Gardner’s goal 13 minutes from time and then a Richard Dunne own goal two minutes from the final whistle saw Bolton move off the bottom of the table.