MADRID, May 10 -- FC Barcelona have one hand on this season's Spanish BBVA Primera Liga title after their win at home to Real Sociedad on Saturday night coupled with a titanic display from Valencia goalkeeper, Diego Alves saw the title race swing decisively in their favor.

Alves produced a string of brilliant saves, among them a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo to give Valencia a 2-2 draw in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Valencia had taken a 2-0 lead through goals from Paco Alcacer and Javi Fuego and when Alves saved Ronaldo's penalty on the stroke of half time, it looked as if Madrid were out for the count.

However, Carlo Ancelotti's side showed great character after the break and a Pepe header and powerful shot from Isco, seven minutes from the end gave them the chance of a heroic fightback.

Nevertheless, Alves' brilliance and some solid defensive work from Valencia kept them at bay and the game ended 2-2.

Earlier in the day a tired looking Barcelona had moved five points clear of Madrid with a hard-fought 2-0 win at home to Real Sociedad.

Real Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli had threatened to deny Barca with a series of excellent first half saves in which he showed his agility, but he was helpless when Neymar opened the score in the 51st minute with a smart far-post header after a cross from Leo Messi.

Barca opted to control the ball and Real Sociedad never really threatened, although the result was never certain until Pedro scored an overhead kick with just five minutes remaining.

Atletico Madrid remain four points ahead of Valencia in fourth place thanks to a 2-2 draw away to Levante.

Levante twice took the lead through David Barral and Kala Uche, but Atletico twice pulled themselves level with goals from Guillermo Siquiera and Fernando Torres, although the Levante keeper had looked to be fouled before Torres' goal.

Joel Campbell scored midway through the first half to give Villarreal a 1-0 win at home to Elche to ensure his side will finish this season in sixth place and qualify for next season's Europa League.

Malaga took a step towards finishing in seventh place in the league with a 2-1 win away to Almeria. An own goal put them in front, before Thomas leveled for Almeria, but Javi Guerra scored a vital away goal for Malaga with 25 minutes remaining.

Finally Sevilla drew 1-1 away to Celta Vigo to complicate their chances of finishing fourth in the league table. Sevilla took the lead through Kevin Gameiro, but a Santi Mina penalty just before the hour assured a share of the points.

Elsewhere Granada moved closer to safety with a 2-0 win at home to already relegated Cordoba, while Alberto Lopo scored a last second header to give Deportivo la Coruna a vital point from their visit to face Athletic Club Bilbao, who had opened the scoring through Aritz Aduriz.