Alba saves Barcelona the blushes against Valencia

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Valencia, November 27: Jordi Alba saved Barcelona the blushes as he scored a late equaliser against his former club Valencia in a Li Liga clash that was marred by a goal-line controversy.

In the top-of-the table clash at Mestalla Stadiuma, Barca were denied the opener as Lionel Messi's tame shot after half an hour was spilt by goalkeeper Neto and bounced over the line before the Brazilian dragged it back over but referee Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva allowed play to continue.

Match Stats

The Argentinian forward and his team-ates remonstrated with the officials to no avail but still had a big say in the game, laying on a perfect pass for Alba's 82nd minute leveller.

La Liga is the only one of Europe's top five leagues not to have goal-line technology, although it will implement the video assistant referee (VAR) system from the start of next season.

Spain striker Rodrigo Moreno put Valencia ahead on the hour, sneaking ahead of Barca defender Thomas Vermaelen to score from close range.

Barcelona lead the standings on 35 points, Valencia have 31 while Atletico Madrid are third on 27, level on points with fourth-placed champions Real Madrid.

"It was a good game and it was defined by a controversial play but we know Valencia's potential. We're not satisfied with everything but we've managed to take something positive from the game," Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said.

Elsewhere, Sevilla battled back from two goals down to win 3-2 at Villarreal in the first game since the news that coach Eduardo Berizzo has prostate cancer.

Fifth-placed Sevilla have 25 points and are now four ahead of Villarreal in sixth.

Seventh-placed Real Sociedad drew 2-2 at home to second-bottom Las Palmas, while Athletic Bilbao were held by the same scoreline at fellow strugglers Deportivo La Coruna.