Valencia 2 - Real Sociedad 1

Valencia: Cañizares; Miguel, Ayala (Caneira 28'), Marchena (Regueiro 63'), Moretti; Albelda, Baraja; Rufete, Aimar, Vicente; David Villa (Di Vaio 76'). 4-2-3-1.
Real Sociedad: Riesgo; Cifuentes (López Rekarte 30'), Labaka, Mikel González, Garrido (Gabilondo 30'); Mikel Alonso (Uranga 85'), Aranburu; Novo, Nihat, Xabi Prieto; Kovacevic. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Valencia: Miguel, Baraja for Caneira, Fabio Aurelio / Real: No change.

Goals:
1-0. 34. Aimar. Directed header down past Riesgo from Rufete's cross.
2-0. 47. David Villa. Collected pass on chest and fired shot past keeper.
2-1. 62. Nihat. Drove shot into net after Kovacevic laid back cross.

Valencia moved up to third in the table after beating Real Sociedad 2-1 on Saturday evening. Quique Flores's side started well, with Baraja and David Villa both forcing good saves out of Riesgo and a Vicente free kick bouncing past everyone and on to the post in between. And ten minutes before the interval they went in front when Aimar headed Rufete's cross wide of Riesgo.

David Villa made it two just a couple of minutes in to the second half after battling past two defenders to score, and the game appeared to be over. Up to that point the visitors had only tested Cañizares once with a long shot from Nihat which the keeper pushed over the top. But Nihat came close with a long free kick, and soon afterwards the Turkish striker got his side back in the game with a volley from the edge of the area after Kovacevic laid back a long cross.

By this time Valencia had lost their two central defenders to injury, and Real pushed forward looking for the equaliser. But Cañizares came to the rescue with two spectacular saves from Kovacevic headers in the dying minutes, and the Chés held on for the three points.