Almeria 0-3 Valencia: Three And Easy For Rampant Che

Almeria saw their goalkeeper sent off and Valencia took full advantage.

Oct 25, 2009 2:58:58 PM

More On :  Almeria, Valencia
David Villa, Almeria-Valencia (Marca)

A hat-trick of great goals saw Valencia move into the top four and reaffirm belief that they could make a challenge for top spot this season against an Almeria side that saw the otherwise-impressive Diego Alves sent off.
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David Villa, Pablo Hernandez and Juan Mata all netted impressive efforts in the second half in the Estadio Juegos Mediterraneos while David Silva completed a quartet of front players that caused the hosts problems throughout.

That said, Almeria actually had the first chance, Cesar inadvertently setting up Modeste Mbami for a chance that didn't go too far off in the 12th minute.

From there, though, it was all Valencia, and Diego Alves was called into action in the 20th minute to bring to an end Mata's hopes of a solo goal.

Los Che's accuracy, though, was poor in the first period, as Pablo, Fernando Navarro and Ever Banega all spurned good opportunities.

Almeria ended the first half well enough, Soriano coming close, but began to fall apart in the second period.


Diego Alves made a brilliant save from a low Pablo drive, but within a minute the midfielder strode down the right with the ball before crossing to David Villa at the near post for the prolific forward to score with a header.

On the hour mark, Almeria's chances took a huge blow when Alves came racing out his area in the 57th minute and brought down Pablo as he raced clear leaving the referee with no choice but to produce a red card. It was a cruel end to the game for the stopper, who was otherwise brilliant.

Despite going a man down, Pablo Piatti being taken off for sub 'keeper Esteban, Almeria refused to give up, but the second goal appeared to be a death knell for them.

It came from Pablo Hernandez, who scored a beautiful lob. Substitute Guilherme gave the winger too much space, and he duly struck from 40 yards with Esteban nowhere.

Mata completed the rout right at the end with a well-deserved daisycutter, and Valencia's Champions League hopes are very much on target.

Steve Michaels, Goal.com

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