Barcelona failed to take full advantage of Real Madrid's slipup, as Valencia held on for a draw against the Spanish giants despite Lionel Messi adding a goal for the 12th straight La Liga game.
The result meant Atletico Madrid closed the gap on leaders Barca to nine points, but Real are now 16 points behind their bitter rivals, after a Cristiano Ronaldo own goal sent them crashing to a 1-0 defeat at Granada.
At the Mestalla, Ever Banega gave the hosts a 1-0 lead just past the half hour, before Joao Pereira needlessly brought down Pedro Rodriguez inside the penalty area.
Messi stepped up to take the spotkick and duly dispatched it into the back of the net for his 34th goal of the season.
The game was pretty even throughout the second half, with goalkeeper Victor Valdes needing to make a brilliant double save late on to ensure at least a point for his side, while Cesc Fabregas and David Villa had chances at the other end to force a victory.
"We came here with the intention of winning the three points but it's always difficult to win at Valencia," Barcelona assistant manager Jordi Roura said. "I think the draw, in general terms, is fair.
"We're coming off of a very tough match away to Madrid and that, from a physical standpoint, always wears you down.
"Valencia pressure you a lot and they don't let you play. Their intensity made it difficult for us to play our game and it was hard for us to get close to their area. Perhaps we didn't create a lot of chances and we weren't as fresh as we have been in the past."
Diego Costa was the hero for Atletico, after his header in the 61st minute was enough to give Diego Simeone's side all three points and keep the pressure on Barcelona. Atletico have 50 points from 22 games, while Barca are on 59, with Real well behind on 43.
Real should have really increased their points tally to 46, but another lacklustre performance was compounded when Ronaldo unfortunately glanced a defensive header off a corner into his own net.
Karim Benzema missed an absolute sitter to at least make the scores level, as Jose Mourinho left the game with plenty to ponder.
Results: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Betis; SEvilla 2-1 Rayo Vallecano; Valencia 1-1 Barcelona; Real Sociedad 3-0 Mallorca; Malaga 1-1 Real Zaragoza; Granada 1-0 Real Madrid; Getafe 3-1 Deportivo; Espanyol 3-2 Levante; Osasuna 1-0 Celta Vigo.
