<p>Barcelona’s stuttering title bid suffered another setback when they lost 2-1 at home to Valencia on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid moved level on points with the La Liga leaders after a comfortable win over Granda.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Shell-shocked Barca have 76 points along with Atletico and remain top only due to a superior head-to-head record.<br /><br />Atletico earlier eased to a 3-0 home win over Granada after Fernando Torres grabbed his fourth goal in as many games with Koke and substitute Angel Correa also got on the scoresheet.<br /><br />Real Madrid, whose coach Zinedine Zidane said in February that the title race was over, thrashed Getafe 5-1 away on Saturday and stand just one point behind the leading pair.<br /><br />An own goal by Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic put Valencia ahead after 27 minutes at the Nou Camp and Santi Mina added a second just before halftime to stun the Barca supporters.<br /><br />Lionel Messi scored his 500th career goal to reduce the deficit after 64 minutes but the struggling hosts, who have squandered a nine-point lead, could not find an equaliser.<br /><br />Despite Barcelona registering a third successive league defeat for the first time since 2003, Luis Enrique remained upbeat about his team's chances of winning the title.<br /><br />Barca humiliated a Valencia side coached by Gary Neville 7-0 in a King's Cup semifinal game in February but had a much tougher time against successor Pako Ayesteran's side and went behind when Guilherme Siqueira's cross bounced off Rakitic and beyond Claudio Bravo.<br /><br />Barcelona forwards Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar each had efforts saved by the impressive Diego Alves, but Valencia continued to cause the home side problems on the break.<br /><br />Santi Mina increased the visiting side's advantage just before halftime, receiving a pass from Dani Parejo and beating Bravo at the far post with a powerful driven effort. Messi turned in a low cross from Jordi Alba to end a drought of five games without scoring and net his 500th career goal, but a second proved elusive for the hosts.<br /><br />Valencia's Alves produced a spectacular save to deny Rakitic late on and Barca defender Gerard Pique agonisingly missed the target at the near post in stoppage time.<br /><br />Elsewhere on Sunday, Sevilla drew 1-1 at home to Deportivo, Athletic Bilbao won 1-0 at Malaga to move up to fifth, and Rayo Vallecano moved five points clear of the relegation zone after beating fourth-placed Villarreal 2-1.</p>
<p>Barcelona’s stuttering title bid suffered another setback when they lost 2-1 at home to Valencia on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid moved level on points with the La Liga leaders after a comfortable win over Granda.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Shell-shocked Barca have 76 points along with Atletico and remain top only due to a superior head-to-head record.<br /><br />Atletico earlier eased to a 3-0 home win over Granada after Fernando Torres grabbed his fourth goal in as many games with Koke and substitute Angel Correa also got on the scoresheet.<br /><br />Real Madrid, whose coach Zinedine Zidane said in February that the title race was over, thrashed Getafe 5-1 away on Saturday and stand just one point behind the leading pair.<br /><br />An own goal by Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic put Valencia ahead after 27 minutes at the Nou Camp and Santi Mina added a second just before halftime to stun the Barca supporters.<br /><br />Lionel Messi scored his 500th career goal to reduce the deficit after 64 minutes but the struggling hosts, who have squandered a nine-point lead, could not find an equaliser.<br /><br />Despite Barcelona registering a third successive league defeat for the first time since 2003, Luis Enrique remained upbeat about his team's chances of winning the title.<br /><br />Barca humiliated a Valencia side coached by Gary Neville 7-0 in a King's Cup semifinal game in February but had a much tougher time against successor Pako Ayesteran's side and went behind when Guilherme Siqueira's cross bounced off Rakitic and beyond Claudio Bravo.<br /><br />Barcelona forwards Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar each had efforts saved by the impressive Diego Alves, but Valencia continued to cause the home side problems on the break.<br /><br />Santi Mina increased the visiting side's advantage just before halftime, receiving a pass from Dani Parejo and beating Bravo at the far post with a powerful driven effort. Messi turned in a low cross from Jordi Alba to end a drought of five games without scoring and net his 500th career goal, but a second proved elusive for the hosts.<br /><br />Valencia's Alves produced a spectacular save to deny Rakitic late on and Barca defender Gerard Pique agonisingly missed the target at the near post in stoppage time.<br /><br />Elsewhere on Sunday, Sevilla drew 1-1 at home to Deportivo, Athletic Bilbao won 1-0 at Malaga to move up to fifth, and Rayo Vallecano moved five points clear of the relegation zone after beating fourth-placed Villarreal 2-1.</p>