10-man Valencia beats Mallorca 2-0 to rise to 5th

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -Valencia scored twice after going down to 10 men to beat struggling Mallorca 2-0 at home in the Spanish league on Sunday.

Mallorca appeared to be in a good position to break a six-game winless run when Valencia midfielder was sent off for hitting Tomas Pina in the 28th minute.

But the relegation-threatened side failed to make the most of its extra player, and defender Ricardo Costa headed Valencia in front from Sergio Canales 60th-minute corner.

Dani Parejo created Valencia's second goal in the 81st when he intercepted a pass, dribbled by two defenders, and played Roberto Soldado clear to shoot under goalkeeper Dudu Aouate.

Valencia's win lifted it into fifth place, two points from the Champion League positions.

Also, Real Sociedad was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Levante despite having an extra player for the last half hour.

Carlos Vela scored his 10th goal of the season to give Sociedad the lead with a penalty in the 18th after he was tripped in the area by defender Nikos Karabelas.

Levante leveled at Anoeta stadium in the 29th when Miguel "Michel'' Alfonso slipped a spot kick beyond diving goalkeeper Claudio Bravo following Gonzalo "Chori'' Castro's foul on Chris Lell.

Karabelas received his second booking for a harsh tackle in the 56th, but the visitors held firm to split the points.

Sociedad moved into sixth place after losing just once in the last 14 rounds. Levante stayed in ninth.