madrid, spain (reuters)

Valencia put themselves firmly in the title race with a 2-1 home win over leaders Barcelona in the Primera Liga yesterday.

Two quick goals early in the second half from Miguel Angel Angulo and David Silva settled a hotly-contested match which saw Valencia's David Albelda and Barca's Deco sent off for a pair of ugly challenges near the hour mark. Ronaldinho pulled a goal back for the visitors with a freekick at the end.

Barcelona remain top with 46 points. Valencia climbed to third on 42 points above Real Madrid due to their superior goal difference.

Real dropped to fourth after they were held 0-0 at home by Real Betis on Saturday.

Also yesterday, Recreativo Huelva moved up to seventh in the table with a 1-0 home win over Real Sociedad, two points behind sixth-placed Real Zaragoza.

Ten-man Celta Vigo secured their first win in 12 league games, thanks to a second-minute header from Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano. They had midfielder Fabian Canobbio sent off just before the break but hung on for the three points.