process fractures, a similar injury description suffered by Brazilian soccer

MADRID, Spain -- Barcelona stumbled to a 3-2 home loss against Valencia on Saturday, giving Atletico Madrid a chance to move into sole possession of first place in the Spanish league. The Spanish champions decision not to sign a defender during the January transfer window may have backfired after Valencia took advantage of a lethargic, uninspired effort by its hosts at the Camp Nou, where former Spain coach Luis Aragones -- who previously coached the Catalan side -- was honoured after his death on Saturday. Barcelona led through Alexis Sanchezs eighth-minute goal but Dani Parejo equalized for Valencia before the break. Pablo Piatti headed Valencia ahead after the restart before Lionel Messis penalty -- and first league goal since September -- levelled the game again. But Barcelonas defence let Sofiane Feghouli burst free into the area to set up Paco Alcacers 59th-minute winner. Barcelona played with 10 men from the 78th after Jodi Alba was shown a second yellow card. The defeat means Atletico can lead the league alone for the first time this season if it does not lose at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday, when Real Madrid can also overtake its greatest rival with a victory at fourth-place Athletic Bilbao. Also on Saturday, Levante and Rayo Vallecano played to a scoreless draw, as did Getafe and Valladolid, while Malaga rallied to beat Sevilla 3-2 in an entertaining encounter. At the top of the standings, Atletico and Barcelona share 54 points, while Madrid has 53. Valencia provisionally moved into eighth. Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino was preoccupied by Barcelonas drop in play after just half an hour. "Im always worried after every one of our losses," Martino said. "Despite us having played well for a while against Valencia, Im very worried, much like the players are." Messi set up the opener after slashing a pass across the box beyond the far post where Alexis connected oddly to float it over goalkeeper Diego Alves. Valencia took control from the 44th when Parejo exploited a turnover inside the Barcelona half to lead a breakout with Feghouli, who returned a pass inside the area for Parejo to score easily. "Their goal hurt us and, in the second half, the team failed to respond," said defender Javier Mascherano, who refused to blame the off-field distractions that have enveloped Barcelona. "Today it wasnt the distractions that beat us, but Valencia. The margin of error (to be champion) is zero." Valencia went ahead in the 48th when the 1.63-meter (5-foot-3) Piatti held off Dani Alves to jump high and head a looping ball over goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Valencia was unlucky as Pedro Rodriguezs shot came off Ricardo Costa to set up the spot kick, even though it appeared Costa had no chance of getting out of the way as the ball grazed his shoulder. Messi slotted home his ninth league goal in the 54th, and first since Sept. 28 against Almeria. Barcelonas defence was dormant five minutes later as Feghouli moved past three players to the goal line before cutting back to meet Alcacer, who blasted past Valdes for the winner. Messi had a golden opportunity to draw Barcelona even in the second minute of stoppage time, but he shot wide after precisely combining with Dani Alves and substitute Andres Iniesta to get free into the box. Valencia, which was Spains most active team in the January transfer, snapped a five-game winless run to deal Barcelona its first home league defeat in nearly two years. Malaga captain and winger Duda proved the hero at Rosaleda Stadium as he took advantage of Alberto Morenos silly clearance attempt to gather inside the area and lift the winning goal past goalkeeper Beto in the 82nd. Dudas penalty put the hosts ahead after half an hour before Sevilla scored a pair of unanswered goals through Carlos Baccas 10th of the season and Federico Fazios header in the 66th. Samuel Sanchez pegged home the equalizer in the 77th as Malaga rallied for an emotional victory during which coach Bernd Schuster was red-carded in stoppage time. Malaga moved four points clear of Valladolid and the last relegation spot. Ivan Rodriguez Jersey . -- Dee Ford prefers to keep things simple: Play hard and fast, and let others worry about his NFL draft stock. Russell Wilson Jersey . - John Elways philosophy is to address immediate needs in free agency, even though some of his own veterans may prove too pricey to keep around. http://www.cheaptexasrangersjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-jurickson-profar-jersey . The Italian side scored twice in a four-minute span in the second half to defeat former stars from S. Adrian Beltre Jersey . Pekovic had an MRI test Tuesday on his right ankle that revealed bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid-filled pad that cushions the joint. Ryan Rua Jersey . The appointment of Boullier continues the behind-the-scenes restructuring at McLaren, who recently brought back former team principal Ron Dennis as its new chief executive.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Cam Newton is thankful to be alive after escaping a horrific-looking automobile accident without any life-threatening injuries.The Panthers quarterback posted a lengthy introspective message to his Instagram account late Wednesday night with a photo of his mangled truck.By the look of that picture SoMEone is supposed to be dead or severely injured worse than what I am right now, Newton posted. While I am resting up the thought that keeps flashing in my mind is that GOD IS GOOD and someone has (their) protective hands on my life shielding me from danger that may come my way!Newton fractured two bones in his lower back when his truck crashed and overturned one block from the teams downtown stadium, but will not need surgery. Coach Ron Rivera said Newton, who has started 60 of 61 games during his career, will not play Sunday against Tampa Bay.I wont expose him, Rivera said. I dont want to put him in a bad position.Newton, 25, did not practice with the team Wednesday, but Rivera said he is likely to return to the facility on Thursday.Newton thanked those who have sent thoughts and prayers, adding: . This accident puts A LOT of things in perspective of whats important and whats not!Rivera confirmed Wednesday that Derek Anderson will start and Joe Webb will be his backup. The coach said Newtons playing status will be reevaluated next week before Carolinas game against Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns.Newton was discharged from the hospital earlier Wednesday and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police issued no citations for the accident.Rivera said he met with Newton on Tuesday at the hospital and in true Cam fashion, he was disappointed for his teammates. He feels like he is letting us all down.Newtons teammate Byron Bell said he started praying when he heard about the accident from a teammate.My only concern was Is he alive? Bell said. Im not worried if Cam is playing Sunday, I just want him to be fine.With Newton sidelined, Rivera will turn to Anderson, now in his 10th season.Anderson started against Tampa Bay in the season opener and threw two touchdown passes, leading the Panthers to a 20-14 victory.Newton left the hospital with his family and will stay with them while recuperating, Panthers spokesman Charlie Dayton said. Newtons father Cecil and mother Jackie, who live in Atlanta, arrived in Charlotte Tuesday after the accident.ddddddddddddA police report states that Newton was driving when a car driven by Nestor Pellot Jr., 46, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, pulled out in front of the fourth-year quarterback, causing his vehicle to flip. The report said Pellot didnt see Newtons truck at first and when he did, he tried to avoid a collision.The report does not place blame on either driver.However, the report lists two witnesses who said Pellot pulled out in front of Newton, causing $9,000 damage to the quarterbacks 1998 Dodge truck. Pellots 2013 Buick suffered $4,000 damage.Like Newton, Pellot was also taken to the hospital but his injuries are unknown.Im just thankful he was wearing a seatbelt and everyone involved is all right, Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said via telephone from the NFL owners meetings in Irving, Texas.The accident was the latest unfortunate turn in what has been a frustrating injury-plagued season for Newton. He had off-season ankle surgery and fractured his ribs in the preseason.On Tuesday, Newton was diagnosed with two transverse process fractures, a similar injury description suffered by Brazilian soccer star Neymar and Dallas quarterback Tony Romo.Neymar was sidelined about four weeks. Romo, who was injured against Washington, sat out one game before returning to action the following week.Anderson said he is ready to step in and start and get the team focused and hops fans will rally around Newton.I know we are all thinking about him, Anderson said. We are all fired about up this weekend, but it will now take a city-wide effort to get this stadium rocking.Anderson filled in for Newton in the season opener and threw two touchdown passes in a 20-14 Carolina win.While Newton will return his attention back to football soon, his focus was clearly elsewhere Wednesday night.As that crash constantly plays back in my mind every time I close my eyes, I cant go another day without me THANKING GOD for the opportunities he has given me in my life, Newton wrote, encouraging people to live, love and forgive.Trust when I tell you that L1FE is to short for you NOT to do those things.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '