MADRID: Valencia snapped a two-month winless spell in La Liga with a 1-0 victory away to Real Valladolid on Sunday thanks to a late piledriver from Carlos Soler to move away from the relegation zone.

Midfielder Soler, who had scored a hat-trick of penalties against Real Madrid in Valencia’s last win on November 8, broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, controlling a pass from outside the area before lashing the ball high into the net.

Valencia had a late goal by Manu Vallejo disallowed after video review and Valladolid nearly equalised when substitute Sergi Guardiola hit the woodwork with a header in stoppage time.

A first victory in nine league games saw Valencia climb from 17th place in the standings up to 13th on 19 points. Valladolid stayed in 16th place.

Earlier on Sunday, Cadiz capitalised on gaining a numerical advantage in the second half as they beat Alaves 3-1 at home.

The hosts lost their early lead when a Joselu penalty cancelled out Alex Fernandez’s opening strike but defender Tachi was sent off for the visitors in the 50th minute and strikers Anthony Lozano and Alvaro Negredo scored within 12 minutes of each other, taking Cadiz up to ninth in the table. Alaves are 15th.

Elsewhere, Levante came from behind to beat Eibar 2-1 to climb into 10th. Veteran Japanese midfielder Takashi Inui put 14th=placed Eibar ahead in the 51st but Jose Luis Morales set up Gonzalo Melero’s equaliser in the 65th and scored the winner in the 76th.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2021