Valencia: Mat Ryan; Barragán (Bakkali 82’), Mustafi, Aderlan Santos, Cancelo; Dani Parejo, Danilo Barbosa; André Gomes, Rodrigo, Santi Mina (Piatti 61‘); Negredo (Paco Alcácer 65’). 4-2-3-1.
Rayo: Juan Carlos; Quini, Tito, Zé Castro, Nacho; Diego Llorente, Trashorras; Embarba (Lass 34‘), Jozabed (Raúl Baena 85’), Pablo Hernández; Miku (Manucho 69‘). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 15. Jozabed. Connected with Embarba return pass to steer shot past Ryan.
1-1. 55. Negredo. Won ball in midfield and struck long shot over Juan Carlos.
1-2. 69. Diego Llorente. Got on the end of Jozabed corner to curl shot past keeper.
2-2. 88. Paco Alcácer. Turned shot past keeper after Bakkali crossed in from left.
Yellow cards: Llorente 19’, Quini 78’, Lass 81’, Paco Alcácer 86’.
Valencia find themselves further away from the European spots after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Rayo Vallecano in this Sunday’s mid-day game. The locals totally dominated the first half, Nacho volleying over and Miku heading against the bar before Jozabed opened the scoring on the quarter hour mark. Mat Ryan had to save from Pablo Hernández, Miku and Trashorras either side of the break, but some ten minutes in to the second half Negredo latched on to the ball just over the half-way line and struck a long shot which sailed over the head of Juan Carlos into the net. With twenty minutes to go Llorente restored the lead following a Jozabed corner, but once again Paco Alcácer saved the day for Gary Neville’s side with a late equalizer.