

Girona blew a possible three-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga after they were beaten to a 0-0 draw away to bottom club Almeria. Almeria came into the game with no wins and just five draws from their first 19 games of the season, but they were the superior team and would have won if Girona goalie Paulo Gazzaniga hadn't made many superb saves. Girona, who were missing injured defenders David Lopez and Eric Garcia, finished with 10 men when important midfielder Aleix Garcia was sent off with 10 minutes remaining for a professional foul. Garcia will now miss Girona's match against Sevilla at home next Sunday.
On the points table Athletic Bilbao climbed closer after defeating Real Sociedad 2-1 at home in the Basque derby on Saturday evening they are third with 41 points while Girona leads the table with 49 points.