MADRID — Real Betis missed a chance to tighten its grip on Spain's fourth Champions League qualification berth when it let slip the lead and had to fight to hold on for a 1-1 draw at home to erratic Athletic Bilbao in La Liga Monday. Under charismatic coach Pepe Mel, Betis has made one of its best ever starts and stay three points clear of fifth-placed Andalusian rival Malaga, which drew 1-1 at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday. Bilbao has failed to reproduce the form that propelled it to the final of both the Europa League and the King's Cup last season and its night got off to the worst possible start when goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz felled Salva Sevilla just inside the penalty area in the opening minute. In-form Betis forward Ruben Castro stepped up and stroked his spot kick high into the net for his 12th goal of the campaign. In an entertaining match with both teams playing attractive, attacking football, a number of chances were squandered before Ander Herrera sent Aritz Aduriz clear four minutes before halftime and he conjured a clever chip to lift the ball over onrushing Betis keeper Adrian into the net. It was also Aduriz's 12th of the season and he and Castro are the top Spanish marksman in La Liga. Argentine Lionel Messi of Barcelona is way out in front on 29 goals, with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Colombian Radamel Falcao of Atletico Madrid both on 18. Bilbao, which finished the match on top and almost snatched a late winner, has struggled after losing Spain international Javi Martinez to Bayern Munich in the close season and are 14th on 22 points. Betis has 35, three behind third-placed Real Madrid, 5-0 winners at Valencia Sunday. “They got the penalty right after kickoff and that disrupted our plans a bit but I think the team showed it knew how to react,” Aduriz said in an interview with Spanish broadcaster Marca TV. Southampton misses chances Southampton failed to convert a number of first-half chances as it was held to a 0-0 draw by Everton Monday in the Premier League in new manager Mauricio Pochettino's first game in charge. Southampton outplayed the visitor, but its finishing let it down during a bright early spell. Rickie Lambert had the best chances, but came closest when his free kick from 25 yards rattled the post. Everton improved after the break but was held scoreless for the first time in 10 away games. Pochettino was greeted with a warm reception by Southampton fans after taking over following the firing of Nigel Adkins. Southampton is now four points out of the relegation zone in 15th place, while Everton remains in fifth, three points behind fourth-place Tottenham. — Agencies
