Barcelona held at Valencia

Barcelona have been held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia in tonight's La Liga encounter at the Mestalla.

© AP Photos

Following a frantic opening, Valencia made the breakthrough in the 33rd minute when Ever Banega smashed the ball into the bottom corner from Roberto Soldado's cross.

However, Barca got themselves level five minutes before half time through Lionel Messi's thumping penalty after Joao Pereira had brought down Pedro.

Barca came close to taking the lead on the hour, but Cesc Fabregas failed to apply the finish from Messi's incisive pass.

Substitute David Villa fired narrowly wide from close range late on, while Victor Valdes pulled off a double save from Jonas and Soldado in injury time as the leaders failed to win in the league for only the third time this season.