Villarreal: Sergio Asenjo, Mario, Musacchio,
Dorado, Jaume Costa; Hernán Pérez (Jonathan Pereira 85'), Manu
Trigueros, Bruno, Cani (Tomás Pina 66'); Giovani, Uche (Javier Aquino
72'). 4-4-2.
Valencia: Guaita; Joao Pereira, Ricardo
Costa, Mathieu, Bernat; Javi Fuego, Banega (Dani Parejo 56'); Fede, Jonas
(Postiga 74'), Canales; Pabón (Feghouli 79'). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 17. Uche. Got on the end of Giovani cross to
force shot past Guaita.
2-0. 22. Hernán Pérez. Steered far
post header past keeper from Cani cross.
3-0. 50. Giovani. Flicked ball
past keeper after Uche headed in corner.
3-1. 63. Ricardo Costa. Got above
defence to head corner down past Asenjo.
4-1. 84. Giovani. Picked up ball
in midfield and ran on to shoot over Guaita.
Yellow cards: Jaume Costa 42', Banega 48', Dorado 52', Javi Fuego 54', Canales 58', Tomás Pina 87'.
Fourth placed Villarreal beat regional neighbours Valencia 4-1 on Sunday evening to move to within two points of Real Madrid. Marcelino's side were on top right from the start, Uche opening the scoring after connecting with a Giovani cross with just over a quarter of an hour gone, and Hernán Pérez heading Cani's long centre in off the near post some five minutes later. Pabón brought a good save out of Asenjo before the break, but soon after the restart Giovani headed against the post, and from the resulting play the locals were awarded a penalty when Mathieu tripped Uche in the area. Guaita managed to save Giovani's corner, but the Mexican forward made up for his mistake just a minute later, flicking the ball past the keeper with his heel after Uche headed in a corner. A quarter of an hour later Ricardo headed one back following another corner, but with six minutes to go Giovani picked up the ball in midfield and ran on to fire a long shot over the keeper. Bragging rights to the locals once again!