Valencia down Espanyol to return to La Liga top four

Valencia exacted some revenge for last month's Copa del Rey quarter-final defeat to Espanyol with a 2-1 win in this evening's La Liga match at El-Prat.

Visiting Valencia were the first side to threaten in the 19th minute when Rodrigo drove into the area and saw his shot come back off the post.

Not long after, Espanyol almost broke the deadlock themselves as Diego Alves acrobatically kept out Felipe Caicedo's low effort.

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Like in the first half, neither side created much in the early stages of the second, but Valencia then found the net in the 62nd minute as Pablo Piatti got a toe to divert Jose Gaya's cross into the corner.

Espanyol substitute Christian Stuani saw a close-range effort acrobatically blocked by Gaya as Espanyol went in search of an equaliser before Valencia moved two clear with five minutes remaining.

Daniel Parejo went for goal with a 30-yard free kick and his effort came back off the post but ended up in the net as the ball hit goalkeeper Pau Lopez and bobbled over the line.

Espanyol gave themselves hope of a dramatic fightback when Sergio Garcia streaked clear and blasted home, but they couldn't find a second goal in stoppage time.

Following Sevilla's defeat at Getafe earlier today, Valencia move into the top four, while Espanyol stay ninth.