New-look Valencia's resurgence continued with a confident
3-1 win over Espanyol on Sunday, while Sevilla triumphed amid a goalkeeper
crisis.
Valencia have invested heavily following a disappointing
eighth-placed finish last season, with Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim set to
complete a takeover of the club.
And new coach Nuno Espirito Santo saw his side make it
seven points out of nine with a routine home success.
Valencia moved ahead after just seven minutes when
Rodrigo – one of their close-season additions – cut a pass back from the byline
for Pablo Piatti to sweep home.
Captain Dani Parejo added a second 18 minutes after the
break, poking home from the edge of the area after breaking into space, and a
third goal was not long in coming.
Paco Alcacer, fresh from earning his first Spain caps in
the recent international break, tapped in from close range to put the result
beyond doubt, with Sergio Garcia's late penalty nothing more than a consolation
for Espanyol.
Sevilla's preparation for the visit of Getafe did not go
to plan as coach Unai Emery was unable to choose either of his first-team
goalkeepers.
Beto, one of the heroes of their triumphant Europa League
campaign last season, was missing with a hamstring strain and his deputy
Mariano Barbosa – a recent acquisition from Las Palmas – sat out with a thigh
problem.
Nevertheless, Sevilla were able to record a 2-0 win, with
Carlos Bacca netting a 44th-minute opener from the penalty spot after a foul by
Vicente Guaita on Grzegorz Krychowiak.
Aleix Vidal grabbed a late second for Sevilla, but things
could have been different as the goal came from a quick break after Sergio Rico
had produced a fine save to deny Getafe an equaliser.
The day's early kick-off saw Elche claim a commendable
3-2 victory against Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Vallecas.
Gael Kakuta, on loan at Rayo from Chelsea, cancelled out
Edu Albacar's opener just before the break, cutting into the area from the left
and delivering a low finish past Przemyslaw Tyton.
However, goals from Jonathas and Pedro Mosquera put Elche
back in charge and Alberto Bueno's late reply was not enough for the hosts.
Granada were held to a 0-0 draw by visiting Villarreal in
Sunday's final game.
The hosts piled on the pressure in the latter stages and
forced Sergio Asenjo into a string of good saves, but could not find a way
through.
Culled from Soccerway
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