Valencia turned in their best performance of the season on Sunday to slaughter local rivals Villarreal 5-0 in the Spanish Liga, with two goals apiece from Roberto Soldado and Juan Mata.The thrashing kept Valencia in third place and on course for direct entry to the Champions League.Unai Emery's side now have 60 points from 31 games, six more than fourth-place Villarreal.
"Tonight's game was important for us" Soldado said. "We are really determined to clinch that third place, and tonight's result is an important step."
Villarreal looked tired after Thursday's Europa League exertions against Twente Enschede. They fell behind after just 14 minutes, when Soldado made it 1-0 by turning in a centre from right-back Miguel.
The floodgates opened in the second half, with Villarreal looking weary.
Mata made it 2-0 in the 56th minute after taking a pass from Ever Banega. Seven minutes later, Banega grabbed the third after good work down the right by winger Pablo.
In the 73rd minute, Pablo set up Mata to make it 4-0, then Soldado completed the rout with an exquisite lob.
Valencia are 16 points behind second-place Real Madrid, who on Saturday won 3-0 at Athletic Bilbao. Real are eight points behind runaway leaders Barcelona, who beat bottom team Almeria 3-1 on Saturday.
Villarreal, for their part, are eight points ahead of fifth-place Sevilla, who drew 2-2 on Saturday at Mallorca. Sevilla are one point above Atletico Madrid and Bilbao, who share sixth place.
Earlier Sunday, Atletico Madrid hammered troubled Real Sociedad 3- 0, with goals from Luis Filipe, Mario Suarez and Sergio Aguero.
Real Sociedad are now in trouble after making a bright start to the season.
Almeria are bottom with just 26 points. Then come Malaga - who were held 0-0 by Deportivo Coruna - and Hercules on 30 points. Hercules could only manage a goalless draw at home to Espanyol.
Zaragoza also have 30 points, but on Monday are at home to Getafe, who are fifth from bottom on 34. Then come Deportivo, Real Sociedad and Osasuna, all on 35 points.
Levante, the season's surprise package, managed to stay well above the relegation zone with a 1-1 draw at Racing Santander, thanks to a late equalizer from Rafa Jorda.
Another team heading for survival are Sporting Gijon, who followed up last week's shock win at Real Madrid with a 1-0 home defeat of Osasuna, on a goal from David Barral.
"Tonight's game was important for us" Soldado said. "We are really determined to clinch that third place, and tonight's result is an important step."
Villarreal looked tired after Thursday's Europa League exertions against Twente Enschede. They fell behind after just 14 minutes, when Soldado made it 1-0 by turning in a centre from right-back Miguel.
The floodgates opened in the second half, with Villarreal looking weary.
Mata made it 2-0 in the 56th minute after taking a pass from Ever Banega. Seven minutes later, Banega grabbed the third after good work down the right by winger Pablo.
In the 73rd minute, Pablo set up Mata to make it 4-0, then Soldado completed the rout with an exquisite lob.
Valencia are 16 points behind second-place Real Madrid, who on Saturday won 3-0 at Athletic Bilbao. Real are eight points behind runaway leaders Barcelona, who beat bottom team Almeria 3-1 on Saturday.
Villarreal, for their part, are eight points ahead of fifth-place Sevilla, who drew 2-2 on Saturday at Mallorca. Sevilla are one point above Atletico Madrid and Bilbao, who share sixth place.
Earlier Sunday, Atletico Madrid hammered troubled Real Sociedad 3- 0, with goals from Luis Filipe, Mario Suarez and Sergio Aguero.
Real Sociedad are now in trouble after making a bright start to the season.
Almeria are bottom with just 26 points. Then come Malaga - who were held 0-0 by Deportivo Coruna - and Hercules on 30 points. Hercules could only manage a goalless draw at home to Espanyol.
Zaragoza also have 30 points, but on Monday are at home to Getafe, who are fifth from bottom on 34. Then come Deportivo, Real Sociedad and Osasuna, all on 35 points.
Levante, the season's surprise package, managed to stay well above the relegation zone with a 1-1 draw at Racing Santander, thanks to a late equalizer from Rafa Jorda.
Another team heading for survival are Sporting Gijon, who followed up last week's shock win at Real Madrid with a 1-0 home defeat of Osasuna, on a goal from David Barral.
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