Valencia extend lead over Sevilla with Valladolid win

Valencia triumphed 2-0 at home over Valladolid on Saturday, moving them six points clear of fourth-placed Sevilla.

The win ends a miserable run for Valencia, who had picked up just one point from their six previous games before this match.

For Valladolid’s new coach Onesimo Sanchez, who replaced the sacked Jose Luis Mendilibar, it was a disappointing start in his first game in charge and the club now lie a point above the relegation zone without a win in 2010.

Valencia’s Argentine midfielder, Ever Banega, took advantage of a defensive mishap to thunder in an early opener after eight minutes.

Spanish international David Villa made it two for Unai Emery’s men by heading home on 29 minutes, notching up his 15th goal of the season and joining Barcelona’s Lionel Messi at the top of the goalscoring charts.

Minutes later Villa should have had another but the outstretched leg of goalkeeper Justo Villar denied him.

Valladolid responded positively after the break creating several half chances but couldn’t get the goal needed to get back into the match.

Valencia could have given the scoreline a more flattering look in the closing stages but were not clinical enough with Juan Mata the main culprit spurning two great chances.

League leaders Barcelona take to the field later on Saturday when they host Getafe at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona, five points clear of Real Madrid at the top, are unbeaten in the league so far but coach Pep Guardiola warned against complacency.

“Sooner or later we are going to slip-up,” said Guardiola. “One day we are going to lose and I have told the players not to get distracted because the league still has a long way to go and five points is nothing.”

Getafe are having a fine season lying five points off the top four and reaching the semi-final of the Kings Cup although they trail Sevilla 2-0 after the first leg.

Real Madrid are also at home on Saturday as they host Espanyol looking for an 11th straight home victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo is still suspended but veteran Guti, 33, has been in fine form and taking the plaudits in the press.

“Guti is a different sort of player (to Cristiano Ronaldo),” said midfielder Xabi Alonso. “You don’t spend 15 years at Real Madrid for nothing. It’s important that people enjoy his football. He is on a roll.”