|
|
Played
February 12, 2012 12:00 PM EST
Estadio de Mestalla — Valencia
Referee: Pedro Jesús Pérez Montero
Attendance: 32000
February 12, 2012 12:00 PM EST
Estadio de Mestalla — Valencia
Referee: Pedro Jesús Pérez Montero
Attendance: 32000
Top of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Sofiane Feghouli
Valencia
Valencia
Flop of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Botía
Sporting Gijon
Sporting Gijon
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Valencia 4-0 Sporting: Feghouli, Jonas double and Botia own goal help Unai Emery's men to first win in six matches
The hosts managed to win their first league game since mid December, taking down the visitors thanks to possession and creativity in attack, despite missing several easy chances.
By Roger Gonzalez
Goals from Jonas and Sofiane Feghouli, combined with an own goal from Alberto Botia, earned Valencia a 4-0 win over Sporting at the Mestalla on Sunday in La Liga action.
After four draws and one loss in its last five league contests, Unai Emery's side managed to dominate possession and create numerous chances, seeing the Brazilian attacker score twice in the dying minutes.
The encounter got off to a fast start as the home side threatened early after settling into the contest.
Aritz Aduriz, who made the start at striker alongside Roberto Soldado, nearly put his team up quickly. After 13 minutes, the former Mallorca man headed an effort from Miguel just over the bar from the middle of the box after doing well to find space.
The visitors from Gijon responded with their only chance of the first half just after 15 minutes when Miguel Angel de las Cuevas looked to beat Vicente Guaita from the outside of the box with a placed effort, but the Spanish goalkeeper did well to push the wide wide at the far post.
After wasting more chances, Los Che took the advantage just after 30 minutes. On the counterattack, Jeremy Mathieu managed to get behind the Sporting defense on the left, sending in a low ball to the top of the box. Feghouli needed only one touch, striking the ball into the back of the net with ferocious pace, leaving Juan Pablo Colinas with no chance as the ball flew over his head.
With a slim lead at the break, Valencia had various chances to double its lead, but Roberto Soldado and Aritz Aduriz both missed from in front of goal early in the second half.
With the visitors looking to find a goal and earn a draw, Feghouli managed to double the scoreline. The young Valencia man fired a ball from the corner of the box after a clever pass from Soldado, and the shot hit off Botia and entered the net.
The home side added a third in added time when a cross from Adil Rami found Jonas in the heart of the box. The Brazilian headed home powerfully to put the match away before finishing his second moments later after a throughball from Soldado found the attacker alone in front of goal, where he poked home with ease.
Next, Valencia carries a little momentum heading into Thursday's Europa League round of 32 clash against Stoke City.
Coming off the loss, Sporting will host Atletico Madrid next weekend.
After four draws and one loss in its last five league contests, Unai Emery's side managed to dominate possession and create numerous chances, seeing the Brazilian attacker score twice in the dying minutes.
The encounter got off to a fast start as the home side threatened early after settling into the contest.
Aritz Aduriz, who made the start at striker alongside Roberto Soldado, nearly put his team up quickly. After 13 minutes, the former Mallorca man headed an effort from Miguel just over the bar from the middle of the box after doing well to find space.
The visitors from Gijon responded with their only chance of the first half just after 15 minutes when Miguel Angel de las Cuevas looked to beat Vicente Guaita from the outside of the box with a placed effort, but the Spanish goalkeeper did well to push the wide wide at the far post.
After wasting more chances, Los Che took the advantage just after 30 minutes. On the counterattack, Jeremy Mathieu managed to get behind the Sporting defense on the left, sending in a low ball to the top of the box. Feghouli needed only one touch, striking the ball into the back of the net with ferocious pace, leaving Juan Pablo Colinas with no chance as the ball flew over his head.
With a slim lead at the break, Valencia had various chances to double its lead, but Roberto Soldado and Aritz Aduriz both missed from in front of goal early in the second half.
With the visitors looking to find a goal and earn a draw, Feghouli managed to double the scoreline. The young Valencia man fired a ball from the corner of the box after a clever pass from Soldado, and the shot hit off Botia and entered the net.
The home side added a third in added time when a cross from Adil Rami found Jonas in the heart of the box. The Brazilian headed home powerfully to put the match away before finishing his second moments later after a throughball from Soldado found the attacker alone in front of goal, where he poked home with ease.
Next, Valencia carries a little momentum heading into Thursday's Europa League round of 32 clash against Stoke City.
Coming off the loss, Sporting will host Atletico Madrid next weekend.
Follow Goal.com on 
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's 
page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
50 | 10 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
46 | 12 |
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético de Madrid |
24 | 5 |
|
Gonzalo Higuaín
Striker Real Madrid |
22 | 0 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
21 | 0 |