[2] The battle was largely determined by the Spanish dragoons commanded by the Marquis of Valdecañas and the Count of Aguilar,[4] which far exceeded the opposing forces.

[2] The Austrian forces retreated, pursued by Spanish cavalry,[2][4] and the allied army was reduced to 6,000 or 7,000 men[2] when it reached Barcelona (one of the few places in Spain still recognizing Charles' authority) on 6 January.

On 9 November the city was evacuated and the retreat to Catalonia began, pursued by Spanish cavalry led by the Marquis of Valdecañas.

Austrian general Starhemberg and the main body of 12,000 men were a day's march ahead of the 5,000 British troops under Lord Stanhope.

[3] When General Starhemberg was informed of the attack on the British column he moved his troops to help Stanhope's army, unaware that the latter had capitulated.

[2][5] The Marquis de Valdecañas, commanding the cavalry in the Bourbon right wing (with King Philip), began the attack.

[2][4] Valdecañas' cavalry also dealt a severe blow to allied army, and Lt. Gen. Mahony and Field Marshal Amezaga's troops charged from the right wing.

[6] Although Philip V of Spain and the Archduke Charles both claimed victory, the number of dead and wounded, the weapons abandoned by the allied army, and the strategic consequences in the war confirmed French domination.

[2] The Spanish throne was finally secured for Philip when Charles left Spain in April 1711 to become Holy Roman Emperor after the death of his older brother.