Madrid, Nov 24: Spanish League leaders Deportivo la Coruna ground out a gruelling 0-0 draw at Real Betis to open the door to championship rivals Valencia and Real Madrid.
Deportivo now have 26 points from 12 games with Valencia and Real Madrid second and third repectively, three points behind and separated only by goal difference but both teams have a game in hand over the Galicians.
Valencia visited relegation-threatened Murcia later yesterday while Real, the reigning Spanish champions, play host to strugglers Albacete.
Betis had the best chances to end the deadlock in the downpour Saturday with the sodden pitch contributing greatly to the grim display.
Fernando Fernandez had a weak penalty saved by Deportivo goalkeeper Francisco Molina after 26 minutes, after Molina had bundled over Juanito Gutierrez.



After an hour, Betis' Dani Martin found the net only for the referee to disallow the goal for dangerous play from Argentine striker Martin Palermo, who had produced an acrobatic overhead kick to send the ball across the penalty area to the feet of Dani.



"I think both teams made a great effort considering the wretched conditions. It was man-to-man combat out there," said Deportivo coach Javier Irureta.



"Betis has the best opportunities, we were a little short of firepower when we went forward."


Bureau Report