Valencia excel on travels again

Valencia CF came from behind to win a fifth straight Liga away match and go third with a 2-1 triumph at Athletic Club as RCD Mallorca maintained their perfect home record by beating Real Zaragoza 4-1.

Ten-man Athletic
Hoping to capitalise on third-placed Sevilla FC's 1-1 home draw with Real Valladolid CF on Saturday, Valencia were staring at a fruitless trip to San Mamés when Iker Muniain prodded Athletic into a 57th-minute lead. But they levelled quickly when David Villa converted a deep Pablo cross then saw the hosts reduced in numbers by Koikili's red card. Jérémy Mathieu rifled in the visitors' second with eight minutes remaining but the points were only guaranteed when David López's 87th-minute penalty struck the post instead of the visiting net.

Aduriz double
Mallorca were in free-scoring form at Son Moix once again, taking their tally to 20 in seven successive home victories this term. Aritz Aduriz struck either side of the break to set the sixth-placed side on their way with substitutes Mario Suárez and Alhassane Keita adding further gloss. Real Sporting de Gijón in seventh failed to make up ground on the sides above them as they succumbed 2-1 at CD Tenerife, despite being given a fourth-minute lead by Diego Castro.

Portugal relief
Miguel Ángel Portugal oversaw his first success at the Real Racing Club helm, and quite a result it was as they triumphed 4-0 away to RCD Espanyol. All the goals came after half-time with Sergio Canales Madrazo notching two of them. Villarreal CF's steady rise continued as they came from 2-1 and a man down to edge Getafe CF 3-2. Santi Cazorla and Juan Capdevila's second of the contest made light of the red card for Cani, although the Yellow Submarine then also had Ángel López dismissed in added time. Málaga CF and CA Osasuna drew 1-1 in Sunday's final match.