Real Betis welcomed Valencia to Seville on Sunday looking to record their first three points of the league season.
A brace from Salva Sevilla and a smart finish from Jorge Molina left the home side with a three-goal lead at the interval.
Valencia improved in the second period and cut the deficit to 3-1 through Ricardo Costa after 67 minutes, but it was a case of too little too late as Betis held on for a vital win.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from Seville as Real Betis welcome Valencia. As mentioned, it has not been the best of starts for the home side, who have suffered defeats to Real Madrid and Celta Vigo, but they did take a point from Espanyol before the international break.
Valencia, meanwhile, who are coming to terms with life without Roberto Soldado, opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Malaga at the Mestalla. Disappointment has followed since then, however, with defeats to Espanyol and Barcelona. That said, they do have a striker in form with Helder Postiga registering three goals in his first three league games for the club.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Valencia have just shaded it with three wins to two. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 1-0 win for Betis, but Valencia were 3-0 winners on their own patch in March. Valencia have also enjoyed recent success in this stadium, taking all three points in a 2-1 win in April 2009.
TEAMS:
BETIS XI: Sara; Chica, Paulao, Amaya, Nacho; Xavi Torres, Matilla, Juanfran, Vadillo; Salva Sevilla, Molina
VALENCIA XI: Alves; Pereira, R.Costa, Mathieu, Bernat; Banega, Romeu, Parejo; Pabon, Jonas, Postiga
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Betis XI this evening with Jorge Molina leading the line, but highly-rated youngster Alvaro Vadillo also comes into the team. Valencia, meanwhile, are able to name Helder Postiga, Dorlan Pabon and Jonas in attack, but Sergio Canales drops to the bench. Right, the away side get the action underway in Seville.
It must be said that there is a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium this evening with the home supporters in fine voice. It has been Valencia that have made the more confident start, however, with Juan Bernat, Oriol Romeu and Dani Parejo seeing plenty of the ball in the opening couple of minutes.
Colombian striker Pabon represented Real Betis on loan last season, but he is now wearing the orange of Valencia after joining on a permanent deal in the summer. Jonas attempts to release the striker with a through pass just inside the Betis half, but Paulao is equal to the danger, before Matilla fires wide of the target down the other end.
First involvement for Postiga, who scored twice against Barcelona last weekend, but the Portuguese is ruled offside following good work from Jonas. Valencia continue to dominate the early stages with Pereira delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Sara is on hand to collect, before Pabon forces a corner from Javi Chica.
Valencia force their second corner in quick succession as Nacho is forced to turn behind at his near post. The opportunity falls to Jonas, but the Brazilian can only turn his header high and wide of the crossbar. Juanfran again threatens down the other end for Betis, but he loses possession under pressure from Mathieu.
Half-chance for Paulao to open the scoring for Betis as the Brazilian defender meets a cross from Torres, but his header just moves wide of the post. However, it would not have counted with the linesman raising his flag. In keeping with the end-to-end spell of the match, Jonas finds Postiga inside the Betis box, but he is crowded out by a sea of green and white shirts.
GOAL! Betis 1-0 Valencia (Molina)
It is a gift for the home side as Costa loses possession just outside his own box. Molina is on hand to pick up the pieces before he fires his effort into the bottom corner. Poor defending, but that's some finish from the Spaniard. Betis lead with 10 minutes on the clock.
Molina scored 14 times for Betis last season and the Seville outfit will hope that record continues this season. It has been a good response from Valencia with Pabon causing problems with his pace and movement, but it will come as no surprise to learn that Betis are playing on the counter. They were just devastating using that tactic last season.
Again it is really good football from the home side as Juanfran finds some room just outside the Valencia box before finding Nacho down the right, but his low cross is cleared by Costa, who has had a busy opening 15 minutes. You just get the feeling that Valencia need to stem this flow of pressure. A second goal for Betis would make them huge favourites at this stage of the match.
It has been a bright opening 18 minutes, which has been decided by a poor piece of defending from Costa. If that is the goal that wins the match, then Valencia only have themselves to blame. That said, there is still plenty of time for things to change. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with both teams losing possession too readily in the final third.
A poor challenge from Vadillo allows Pabon the chance to whip a dangerous free kick into the Betis box, but Sara is out to collect under pressure from Postiga. The home side break down the other end with Juanfran, who cuts inside before finding Molina, but Pereira is across to make the challenge. Still 1-0 to Betis with 20 minutes on the clock in Seville.
GOAL! Betis 2-0 Valencia (Sevilla)
Betis have their second of the evening as Sevilla bursts into the box before coolly slotting his effort into the bottom corner. Wonderful team goal from the home side with four players involved in the build-up. It is a long way back for Valencia from this position.
Valencia must be sick of the sight of Sevilla, who scored the winning goal against them last season. The stadium is just jumping at the moment with Betis committing numbers to each attack. If Valencia are to take something from the match then surely they have to score the next goal, but they have not created too much in the opening 25 minutes.
Valencia boss Dukic is deep in thought at the moment as he ponders how to turn this match around. Pepe Mel, however, looks content with what we has seen and so he should. Betis are comfortable at the moment with the likes of Torres and Sevilla winning the midfield battle against Romeu and Parejo.
Another half-chance for the home side as Juanfran beats the offside trap before advancing into the Valencia box, but he loses control at the vital moment, allowing Alves to make the clearance. Jonas has possession down the other end moments later, but the Brazilian cannot find Pabon, who had moved beyond Nacho.
Paulao wants a free kick as the Betis defender tussles with Postiga, but the referee instead awards a corner. Eventually it comes to Costa, who slides his effort into the back of the net, but the offside flag is raised. All Valencia need is one goal and it is very much game on, but another goal for the home side and surely it would be curtains.
CHANCE! Valencia are clinging on for dear life here as Betis twice come close to scoring their third of the evening. Molina has the first chance, but Alves is on hand to make a fine save. It falls to Sevilla, but Costa gets everything behind it. That could and probably should have been 3-0 to Betis.
GOAL! Betis 3-0 Valencia (Sevilla)
It's wonderful work from Vadillo as the Betis winger cuts inside his full-back before finding Sevilla, who has the simple task of rolling his effort into the back of the net. Terrible defending from Valencia once more.
Well, the last one and a bit La Liga matches have brought us eight goals. Let's hope that standard continues into the second period. Valencia were 3-0 down against Barcelona last week and managed to score twice in the latter stages of the first period. Will lightening strike twice? Unlikely.
There has not been any yellow cards in this match thus far, which is credit to the referee with Valencia starting to fly into a number of late challenges. Valencia just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Sevilla picks the pocket of Romeu, but his effort is straight at Alves, who has had a busy 40 minutes of football.
It would not be a surprise to see Dukic look to his bench at the interval with the likes of Guardado, Feghouli and Canales all capable of influencing proceedings. A free kick from Banega threatens to cause problems in the Betis penalty box, but Paulao is on hand to clear with a towering header.
Better from Valencia in the last minute of the first period with Postiga forcing two corners in quick succession, but the first is headed over his own crossbar by Amaya before Jonas clips an effort wide of the post. Despite Valencia trailing 3-0, you get the feeling that one goal could spark a turnaround. Betis will not stop going forward that is for certain.
HALF TIME: Betis 3-0 Valencia
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Betis leading 3-0 courtesy of a double from Sevilla and a cool finish from Molina. The home side have been impressive, but Valencia have been just about as poor as you could ever possibly imagine. They need to respond in the second period.
STATISTICS: Valencia have had more of the possession with 56%, but they have managed just one attempt off target. That is in contrast to Betis, who have had seven attempts, four of which have been on target. The fact that 3-0 flatters Valencia tells you everything that you need to know.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking personnel on the bench in the shape of Mabwati, Reyes and Igiebor, but I shouldn't think that Pepe Mel will be too disappointed with what he has seen from those selected. Valencia, as mentioned, have a number of attacking options in reserve with the likes of Feghouli, Guardado and Canales. I would be astounded if early changes were not made.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. If Betis score again, then surely it is game over, but a goal for Valencia would at least hand them some hope. Surprisingly, there have been no changes for either side at the interval, but I suspect that will change if the score remains the same in the next 15 minutes or so.
Confident start to the second period from Valencia as Parejo moves the ball from left to right before attempting to find the run of Postiga, but the Portuguese cannot stay onside. Pabon causes problems down the opposite wing moments later, but there are no takers on his low cross into the box.
There is certainly more purpose about the away side in the second period with each player that yard sharper. A half-chance arrives as Pabon finds the run of Pereira down the right, the right-back delivers a high cross into the box, but Paulao is on hand to make the clearance. Can Valencia open their tally in the early stages of the half?
Vadillo continues to impress on the left for Betis as he moves past two challenges before Costa comes across to make the challenge. Another half-chance arrives for the away side moments later following a long pass from Mathieu, but Chica manages to hook clear under pressure from Pabon.
First sign of Sevilla in the second period as the Spaniard drives past two challenges before attempting to fire a low cross into the box, but Banega is across to make the challenge. A half-chance arrives from the resulting corner, but Molina can only flick his effort wide of the post. Better from the home side.
Another half-chance for the away side as Pabon finds some space inside the box before attempting to lift his effort into the top corner, but Sara is on hand to make the save. It just isn't happening for Valencia in the final third, but they have improved since the interval. Matilla has a half-chance down the other end, but his effort is pushed wide by Alves.
End-to-end football in the last few moments with Valencia again coming close to their opener with a strike from Jonas, but Sara is on hand to make the save. Betis are down the other end moments later with Juanfran, but Alves is on hand to make the save. But for the Valencia stopper, it could have been five or six here.
The referee has been forced to intervene in the last couple of moments following a number of late challenges from both sides. The latest foul allows Banega the chance to stand over a free kick outside the Betis box, but he leaves it to Parejo, whose effort is pushed wide of the post by Sara. Super save from the Argentine.
Betis make their first change of the evening as Vadillo, who has been impressive, is replaced by Mabwati, who will provide an injection of pace in the final third. Just what Valencia wanted to hear! No real chances to report for either side in the last five minutes or so.
Again it's good work from Juanfran as the Spaniard drives past two challenges, before being caught late by Parejo, who picks up a yellow card for his troubles. In truth, there was not a great deal in it. It is certainly a surprise that Dukic hasn't looked to his bench with little under 25 minutes of football remaining.
The Valencia boss must have heard me as Feghouli emerges from the bench with the midfielder replacing Parejo, who has just been booked. It has been much more of an even contest in the second period, but the damage was done in the first half. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in Seville.
GOAL! Betis 3-1 Valencia (Costa)
Lifeline for Valencia! The away side have their first of the evening as Costa rises in the box before thumping a powerful header into the back of the net, silencing the stadium in the process. Game on?!
Another half-chance for the away side as Pabon finds some space outside the box before finding Postiga, but the Portuguese just loses control at the vital moment. Another Valencia strike in the next five minutes or so would certainly make things interesting. It would be incredible if Betis lost from this position.
The home supporters are in wonderful voice as we approach the final 15 minutes of action, but their side has not yet secured all the points. Valencia continue to commit bodies to each attack, but it is leaving space in defence. Mabwati exploits that space with a thumping effort from inside the box, but Alves makes the save.
Another half-chance for the home side as Torres has the freedom of the penalty area, but he can only turn his header wide of the post from inside the box. Valencia boss Dukic still has two changes remaining if he should wish to alter proceedings, but it appears that Betis are preparing to make their second change of the match.
The change is indeed made as Reyes enters the field in place of Juanfran, who has been wonderful this evening. Moments before, Valencia had a half-chance as Postiga found a yard of space inside the box, but he could only turn his header wide of the post from close range. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in Seville.
Sevilla make their second change of the match as Jonas, who has struggled this evening, is replaced by Sergio Canales. Can the former Real Madrid youngster produce some magic in the remaining stages of this match? Betis come close to their fourth moments later following a scramble in the Valencia box, but Postiga is on hand to clear behind his own goal.
Mabwati has a half-chance moments later as he carries the ball deep into the Betis box before attempting to toe-poke it past Alves, but Mathieu is across to make the challenge. Another opportunity arrives moments later, but Molina's header is high and wide of the crossbar. The game is just getting away from Valencia, who still trail 3-1 with 82 minutes on the clock.
Valencia continue to force the issue with a series of high balls into the Betis box, but it is playing into the hands of Chica and Paulao, who have both been nice and compact this evening. Meanwhile, Mabwati remains a serious threat down the other end with his pace and power. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining.
Betis make their third and final change of the evening as Igiebor replaces two-goal Sevilla. This match has the feel of one that is just fading away, but one goal for Valencia would make the last few minutes very interesting indeed. The home supporters are not too worried, however, as they continue to sing their hearts out.
Valencia have had plenty of the ball in the last 15 minutes or so, but have not really threatened to score their second of the evening. A mistake from Paulao almost hands Pabon a route to goal, but Chica is across to make the challenge. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the end of the match.
End-to-end football in the final couple of moments with both sides threatening to add to the scoring, but Molina fires wide for the home side before Postiga heads into the arms of Sara. Moments later, Igiebor wins a free kick down the right for Betis and that could be just about that for this one.
FULL TIME: Betis 3-1 Valencia
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with Betis picking up their first three points of the season with a 3-1 win over Valencia. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
