Valencia: Guaita; Barragán, Ricardo
Costa, Rami, Mathieu; Mehmet Topal (Maduro 85'), Tino Costa (Dani Parejo 59');
Pablo Hernández, Feghouli (Canales 78'), Jordi Alba; Jonas. 4-2-3-1.
Rayo: Joel; Tito, Arribas, Labaka (Trashorras 32'),
Pulido, Casado; Lass (Dani Pacheco 79'), Dimanka (Tamudo 46'), Movilla; Michu,
Diego Costa. 5-3-2.
Goals:
1-0. 41. Jonas. Shot on the turn after Joel saved
header from Feghouli.
2-0. 70. Jordi Alba. Ran in to slide ball in to net
from long Feghouli cross.
2-1. 72. Diego Costa. Shot low in to net after
Michu intercepted back pass.
3-1. 77. Jonas (penalty). After referee ruled
that Arribas had committed foul.
4-1. 88. Pablo Hernández. Got ahead
of defence to turn Canales cross in to net.
Yellow cards: Ricardo Costa 25', Lass 36', Pulido 63', Diego Costa 66', Jordi Alba 68', Movilla 73', Tamudo 75', Arribas 76', Michu 93'.
Valencia returned to third spot pending Málaga's game on Thursday after a 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday evening. After a couple of good recent results, Unai Emery's side were full of confidence, and Rami and Pablo Hernández went close before Jonas opened the scoring, turning the ball back in to the net after Joel could only push out Feghouli's header. Jordi Alba added a second midway through the second half after good work down the right wing by Feghouli, but two minutes later Rayo got one back, Pablo trying to pass back to his own keeper without realising that Michu was standing in front of him, the attacker laying the ball back for Diego Costa to score. Jonas restored the two goal cushion from the penalty spot though after a confusing incident between Arribas and Feghouli, and Pablo had a headed goal ruled out for a foul on a defender before scoring his side's fourth after he was set up by Canales, who was making his first appearance after a long injury lay-off.