Valencia defeat Barcelona at Camp Nou

Barcelona seemed to be crusing after Alexis Sanchez’s sublime 7th-minute chip, dominating possession until Dani Parejo exploited terrible defending to equalise just before half-time.

Pablo Piatti added a second early in the second half as Valencia again hit Barca on the counter, but the hosts were given a lifeline when Ricardo Costa was incorrectly penalised for handball in the box.

The ball clearly struck the Valencia captain’s shoulder, and with his arm by his side it was a dreadful decision. Lionel Messi equalised from the spot, his first Liga goal since September.

But Valencia would not be denied as Paco Alcacer converted the excellent Sofiane Feghouli’s low cross, with Jordi Alba’s dismissal for a second yellow card forcing Barca to play the final 13 minutes with 10 men.

The result means both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid can overtake Barcelona atop La Liga if they win their matches this weekend.