Player Ratings: Valencia 2-1 Espanyol

The Brazilian stopper made a fantastic save on Alvaro in the first half but could do nothing on Moreno's goal as his defense let him down. Quality overall performance but was not asked to do much.

The Frenchman moved well all night long, but he did not have the impact he was hoping for. Normally a threat down the wing, Mathieu failed to play quality passes forward, often losing the ball. However, he did have several well-timed tackles in defense.

The top defender for Valencia on the night. The little-used Spaniard made tackle after tackle, stop after stop, whether it be on the ground or in the air. Great performance. Also won the penalty kick after being impeded by Didac.

Not his best game, but it was not his fault. Valencia controlled the ball and the match, only being put on their heels momentarily in the second half. The former Lille man had a quiet night but made no mistakes.

Taken off at half time, the young defender looked uncomfortable and also picked up a yellow card. Emery opted for more experience in the back by introducing Bruno.

The Spanish international made his mark in attack and in defense, playing well in both phases. He sent in various crosses and worked cohesively with Tino Costa and Mathieu to push possession forward, while also frustrating Weiss with great positioning.

An anonymous display by the Turkish midfielder. Picked up a booking in his only real action, also nearly giving a way a penalty kick with what may have been a handball in the box. He wasn't poor, but it wasn't anything special.

Taken off in the second half after another lackluster performance. The former Almeria man has yet to win over the hearts of the Valencia faithful after a decent start to life at Mestalla. The fans are still waiting for him to contribute consistently. Poor showing.

Another fantastic performance. A goal with a perfectly taken penalty and also fed Soldado with an incredible cross off a corner. Three goals in his last three games, Costa is becoming a star at Mestalla.

Dangerous as always down the wing, the attacker did provide some great crosses to Aduriz, but not much else.

Has fallen out of favor with poor performances, and Saturday was another example. The former Mallorca man should have found the net off a corner, but headed past the back post. He has not taken his chances this season.

The former Rosario Central custodian kept his team in the contest with numerous stops, including a stellar block on Aduriz in the first half. However, he could do little to deny Tino Costa's brilliant penalty kick, nor Soldado's goal.

The Mexican was consistent at the back, playing wide balls to help his team advance up the pitch and also did well to clear threatening balls. A solid job shadowing Aduriz and was rewarded with a goal 20 minutes from time, finishing from close.

The defender was sturdy for most of the night, producing crunching tackles. Should have done better on set pieces though, as he looked out of sync at times.

The Spaniard was lively all night on the right side, aiding in attack at times as well. He was rarely caught out of position and marked Jordi Alba well, while also contributing defensively in the air.

The 19-year-old was well short of being a factor in the first half, but he did make a few stellar runs up the field, capping off his night with an assist to Moreno.

Some will question if he even played. Rarely touched the ball and contributed next to nothing.

One of the top players overall. Quick and dangerous with the ball at his feet, the midfielder produced several dangerous cross and used space well to aid in ball possession. Not flashy, but very good.

Quality showing from the former Boca Juniors starlet, heading out several threats, while also looking confident on the ball. Worked well with Galan on the right to push the ball forward.

Did not participate much. The former Manchester City man was booked for a foul on Jordi Alba but did send in a brilliant cross to the front post which nearly led to a goal for Alvaro.

He knows he should have scored on the first half header off Weiss' delivery. It was a brilliant effort, one that Diego Alves did well to stop. After that, there was little to see from the striker.