MADRID, Dec 24: Real Madrid failed to reclaim top spot in the Spanish first division Sunday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Mallorca.

Raul gave Vicente del Bosque’s side the lead 10 minutes into the second half but the home side came back to take a deserved point through Alberto Luque 12 minutes later.

The result means Deportivo Coruna go into 2002 as league leaders after their 2-0 win at home to Real Betis on Saturday gave them 33 points from 18 games.

Real are in second place, a point back, with Celta Vigo and Betis both on 31.

Athletic Bilbao joined them on that mark as they beat Osasuna 1-0 in Sunday’s late game.

Osasuna looked the better side and missed several clear chances before Spanish international midfielder Joseba Etxeberria cracked in the only goal of the game on 72 minutes.

Sixth-placed Alaves were denied the opportunity to join Deportivo at the top as their match at Rayo Vallecano was postponed because of heavy snow in Madrid.

Sunday’s Spanish first division results:

Osasuna 0 Athletic Bilbao 1

Rayo Vallecano v Alaves postponed

Real Mallorca 1 Real Madrid 1

Real Zaragoza 3 Villarreal 2

—Reuters