Valencia 3 - Real Sociedad 1

Valencia: Cañizares; Curro Torres, David Navarro, Marchena, Moretti (Caneira 73'); Sissoko, Baraja; Angulo, Aimar (Mista 52'), Vicente; Di Vaio (Corradi 65'). 4-2-3-1.
Real Sociedad: Riesgo; López Rekarte, Luiz Alberto, Brechet, Garrido; Alkiza (Oskitz 60'), Mikel Alonso; Karpin, Arteta, Gabilondo (Gari Uranga 60'); Nihat (Aranburu 73'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Valencia: Moretti, Sissoko, Baraja, Angulo, Aimar, Vicente for Carboni, Albelda, De los Santos, Fiore, Xisco, Corradi / Real Sociedad: Brechet, Alkiza for Jauregui, Kovacevic.

Goals:
1-0. 37. Di Vaio. Got on the end of Vicente's free kick to head down past Riesgo.
2-0. 50. Di Vaio. Header down across keeper from Aimar's pinpoint pass.
3-0. 74. Mista. Header past Riesgo after Curro Torres cross bounced past defence.
3-1. 81. Arteta (penalty). After Caneira blocked Karpin's cross with upper arm.

Valencia joined Espanyol and Osasuna at the top of the table after a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad in the last match on Saturday evening. Vicente did the early damage,hitting the bar in the opening minutes and then finding Di Vaio with a free kick for him to head past Riesgo for the opening goal. And five minutes after the break the Italian striker was there again to get his second of the night from Aimar's pinpoint pass.

Aimar picked up an injury though a couple of minutes later and was replaced by Mista, his first appearance after being left out of the squad for the last two matches. And the unsettled forward made it three later in the half to send a message to Ranieri that his mind was on football and not on the possible renewal or not of his contract. Arteta got a consolation goal for the Basques from the penalty spot near the end after substitute Caneira handled in the area, but it was already too late to do any more.