Barcelona 1 - Valencia 1

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Zambrotta, Puyol, Márquez, Van Bronckhorst; Xavi, Edmilson (Iniesta 46'), Deco; Messi (Saviola 85'), Eto'o, Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.
Valencia: Cañizares, Miguel, Raúl Albiol (David Navarro 75'), Ayala, Moretti; Albelda (Hugo Viana 90'), Edu; Joaquín, David Silva, Vicente; David Villa (Angulo 78'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Barça: Van Bronckhorst for Sylvinho / Valencia: Raúl Albiol, Moretti, Albelda, David Silva for David Navarro, Regueiro, Marchena, Morientes.

Goals:
0-1. 17. David Villa. Connected with Miguel cross to turn shot past Valdés.
1-1. 48. Iniesta. Shot past Cañizares after Eto'o headed across Ronaldinho pass.

Barcelona and Valencia share the lead at the top of the table with Real Madrid after drawing 1-1 on Sunday evening. The Chés have not lost in the Nou Camp for five years, and they took the lead with just over a quarter of an hour gone when Joaquín sent Miguel away down the right wing for him to find David Villa with a pinpoint cross. And the Spanish international striker tucked the ball past Víctor Valdés with a clinical finish, the fifth goal he has scored in the stadium in four years.

Xavi fired a shot over the top and Ronaldinho brought a first class save out of Cañizares as the home side fought back, but Valdés had to keep out an effort from Vicente, and on the stroke of half time Villa broke through again only to see his effort come back off the near post.

Frank Rijkaard decided to make a change at the break, bringing on Iniesta for Edmilson, and it couldn't have worked out better. The young midfielder just failed to control Messi's cross within the first minute after coming on, and two minutes later he struck home the equaliser after Eto'o headed back Ronaldinho's cross.

Valencia sat back to protect their point, with Cañizares making good saves from Deco, Ronaldinho and Eto'o. And with five minutes to go Rijkaard surprised everyone with his last throw of the dice, the out of favour Saviola being preferred to Giuly and Gudjohnsen to replace Messi. It was his first appearance in the Nou Camp in almost three years, but the move almost paid off when he connected with Eto'o's pass to steer in a shot which Cañizares just managed to hold on to.

Eto'o felt he should have had a penalty when Miguel tripped him in the last minute of the game, but the referee turned down his appeals. And seconds later it was all over; Sevilla's defeat meant Barça were top on goal difference, but Valencia were the moral victors tonight.