Henry rescues point for Barca at Valencia

By Mark Elkington

MADRID (Reuters) - Thierry Henry came off the bench to rescue a point for Barcelona as the leaders came back to draw 2-2 at Valencia in the Primera Liga Saturday.

Two quick goals before the break from Valencia's Hedwiges Maduro and Pablo Hernandez had helped the home side move 2-1 ahead, overturning Lionel Messi's opener for the visitors.

But Henry's deflected shot looped into the net for the equaliser with five minutes to go moving Barca seven points clear of chasing Real Madrid, who visit Sevilla Sunday.

Barca have 82 points with five matches left to play ahead of the champions on 75, Sevilla with 57 and Valencia on 56.

"We showed a lot of courage not giving up the game for dead," Henry told La Sexta television. "We didn't want to lose here and we never gave up."

Valencia gave Barca little space to work in but they were sliced open by a swift interchange of passes between Andres Iniesta and Messi in the 24th minute, with Iniesta's final lay-off leaving the Argentine with a tap in.

Barca continued to struggle with Valencia's swift breaking style, however, and the hosts drew level when visiting keeper Victor Valdes failed to take a corner two minutes before the break, allowing Maduro to bundle the ball over the line.

Barca were still reeling when Hernandez burst from midfield, played a one-two with Juan Mata, and slid the ball under Valdes.