First Division - Day 36

Valencia 3 - Xerez 1

Valencia: César; Miguel, Marchena, Maduro, Jordi Alba; Baraja (Albelda 72'), Banega; Pablo Hernández, David Silva, Mata (Vicente 80'); Zigic (David Villa 62'). 4-2-3-1.
Xerez: Renan; Redondo, Aythami, Gioda, Casado; Moreno (Antoñito 62'), Alex Bergantiños; Orellana (Abel 77'), Víctor Sánchez, Armenteros; Mario Bermejo (Alustiza 83'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 37. Armenteros.Picked up Bermejo pass to steer shot wide of César.
1-1. 45. Mata. Curled free kick over defensive wall wide of keeper.
2-1. 57. Mata. Ran on to Silva through ball to turn shot across Renan.
3-1. 68. Silva. Ran in to turn Mata cross past Renan from wide angle.

Yellow cards: Banega 72', Albelda 76', Silva 81', Redondo 81', 90' / red cards: Redondo 90'.

Valencia are virtually sure of taking third spot this season after coming from behind to beat bottom club Xerez 3-1 on Tuesday evening. The visitors surprised their hosts at first, Orellana shooting over the top before Armenteros scored the opener after Bermejo set him up shortly before half time. Mata equalised though with a well struck free kick just before the interval, and twelve minutes after the restart the Spanish international forward got his second of the night after running on to Silva's pass to beat Renan once again. Silva himself scored a third a few minutes later, and after Redondo was sent off for a second bookable offence near the end, any hopes Xerez had of saving the match came to an end. The Andalusians are now five points away from safety pending tomorrow's matches, and if results go against them they could already be down.