Real chasing Barca after Almeria draw

MADRID: Reigning champions Real Madrid lost ground on league leaders Barcelona after dropping two points in a 1-1 draw with Almeria on Sunday.

Argentine Pablo Piatti equalised with nine minutes left to deny Real victory after captain Raul Gonzalez had put them ahead shortly before half-time with his fifth goal of the season.

Real now sit third two points behind Barcelona who crushed Malaga 4-1 on Saturday to record their seventh successive league win.