MADRID, Spain (AP) — Giuseppe Rossi scored a penalty deep into injury time as 10-man Villarreal salvaged a 1-1 draw at Sporting Gijon yesterday to stay in touch with Spanish leader Real Madrid.

Carlos Marchena was tugged down inside the Sporting area for the Italy striker to step up and slot his sixth goal of the season past Juan Pablo Colinas in the 94th minute.

Gonzalo Rodriguez handled inside the area to set up Sporting’s opener as Diego Castro scored with a 69th-minute penalty. Gonzalo was then sent off in the 77th to further complicate the game for the visitors, who had been the more dangerous team early on.

Colinas dived to keep Nilmar’s shot out in the 13th and the Spanish ‘keeper was tested again in the 19th when Santi Cazorla found the Brazil striker, with the final touch falling to Rossi to try a backheeled shot.

Nilmar’s 41st-minute penalty shout was waved away before Colinas dived to his left to save from Rossi soon after.

Villarreal’s task was made harder when Gonzalo was shown a second yellow card in the 76th for obstructing David Barral’s run, but the ‘Yellow Submarine’ managed to pull out a point at El Molinon stadium to stay with the favourites.

Madrid beat Hercules 3-1 on Saturday to stay top with 23 points, while Barcelona trail by one point after routing Sevilla 5-0. Villarreal are alone in third with 20 points.

Atletico Madrid languish nine points adrift of their Spanish capital neighbour — one week before they meet in a derby match — following a 1-1 draw against Almeria.

At the Vicente Calderon stadium, only several outstanding saves by Almeria goalkeeper Diego Alves kept Atletico from going ahead early.

The Brazilian ‘keeper stretched his foot to save a point-blank effort by Sergio Aguero in the 17th after Diego Forlan found the Argentina striker in front of goal.

But Aguero darted into the area to blast home his first league goal of the season in the 33rd after Diego Alves pushed Jose Antonio Reyes’ header along the goalline.

The opener sparked Almeria into life as Kalu Uche drew three diving saves from David De Gea before Pablo Piatti’s left-footed volley from the edge of the area beat the teenage goalkeeper as the first half closed.

Diego Alves kept out Simao Sabrosa’s dipping free kick and a fierce strike by Tiago to start the second half. Almeria then gained control but couldn’t translate the momentum into a winner.

Also yesterday, Deportivo La Coruna picked up their first win of the season in a 3-0 win over Espanyol, while Swedish pair Kennedy Bakircioglu and Markus Rosenberg led Racing Santander to a 4-1 win over Osasuna.

Malaga remained winless attheir La Rosaleda stadium after losing to Real Sociedad 2-1.

Getafe were due to play Athletic Bilbao in yesterday’s late game, while Levante play Mallorca today.

Valencia, who are fourth with 17 points, drew 1-1 with Zaragoza on Saturday.