Mista gives Valencia timely lift

By Andy Hall

Valencia CF ended a turbulent week in positive fashion as a second-half Mista strike earned a 2-1 victory against Real Betis Balompié and put them back in the UEFA Champions League places, leapfrogging local rivals Villarreal CF, who lost.

Thrilling encounter
In their first game since Claudio Ranieri's dismissal, Valencia's caretaker coach Antonio López restored Santiago Cañizares but the goalkeeper had no chance when Marcos Assunçao curled a free-kick inside the post on 13 minutes. The home side's fortunes looked to be going from bad to worse soon afterwards when Fabio Aurelio's penalty was superbly parried by Antonio Doblas.

Mista magic
Aurelio made amends, however, supplying the cross for Rubén Baraja to level just before the half-hour mark. Valencia staged a second-half rally that saw both Francisco Rufete and Carlos Marchena hit the woodwork before Mista converted Pablo Aimar's cross on 72 minutes. Any chance of a Betis revival sank when Assunçao was ordered off immediately afterwards.

Racing late show
Valencia are now a point behind Sevilla FC, who move ahead of city neighbours Betis into third after a 2-2 draw against Real Racing Club Santander. Julio Baptista tapped in his eleventh goal of the campaign on 13 minutes before Racing's David Aganzo levelled from close range just before the interval. Darío Silva headed Sevilla back in front on 76 minutes but the lead was short-lived as Mario Regueiro outleapt the Sevilla defence to head in a late equaliser.

Villa on target
A solitary goal by Real Zaragoza's David Villa was enough to inflict a second loss of 2005 on Villarreal as the two UEFA Cup contenders met at La Romareda. Club Atlético de Madrid moved into eighth place after Antonio López's fierce drive secured a 1-0 win against Real Sociedad de Fútbol, who ended the match with ten men following Fabiano Rossato's late dismissal.

Málaga record
Málaga CF registered their best ever away win with an emphatic 6-1 victory at CA Osasuna. Miguel Ángel, Duida and Baiano helped open up a 3-0 lead inside 38 minutes and although John Aloisi volleyed one back on 51 minutes, Juan Rodríguez, Paulo Wanchope and Baiano responded to break a 54-year club record and lift the club up to 12th.