Sporting: Cuéllar; Lora, Luis Hernández, Bernardo, Isma López; Sergio Alvarez, Omar Mascarell (Nacho Cases 61‘); Pablo Pérez (Carmona 82‘), Halilovic (Guerrero 70’), Jony; Tonny Sanabria. 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Jaume Domenech; Cancelo, Mustafi, Abdennour, Gayà; Dani Parejo, Javi Fuego, Enzo Pérez (Andrés Gomes 67‘); Feghouli, Negredo (Paco Alcácer 75’), Piatti (Bakkali 82‘). 4-3-3.
Goals:
0-1. 91. Alcácer. Steered header into empty net after Bakkali lifted ball over.
Yellow cards: Dani Parejo 30’, Enzo Pérez 41’, Mascarell 45’, Pablo Pérez 77’, Javi Fuego 81’.
Valencia notched up their first win of the season, the Ches beating Sporting Gijón 0-1 thanks to an injury time header by Paco Alcácer. Both teams had chances in the first half, Negredo and Piatti going close for the visitors, and Jony in particular testing Valencia’s fourth choice keeper Jaime Domenech, who was given the nod over Joel following injuries to Diego Alves and Mat Ryan. After the restart Dani Parejo volleyed a shot over the top and Andrés Gomes brought a good save out of Cuéllar, and Domenech made important stops from Bernardo, Pablo Pérez and Luis Hernández. With Sporting lining up a third scoreless draw in a row though Alcácer headed the ball into an empty net after Bakkali lifted a cross over Cuéllar, and Domenech ensured the three points for Nuno’s side with a last gasp save from Tonny Sanabria.