Valencia beat Sporting Gijon thanks to late goal

Valencia narrowly beat Sporting Gijon thanks to a late Paco Alcacer goal at El Molinon in La Liga this evening.

© AFP

Alvaro Negredo's deflected effort provided Valencia with their first chance of the game, but it was easily saved by Ivan Cuellar.

Jaume Domenech was then called into action by the hosts after a corner opportunity, before Antonio Sanabria's low drive was pushed away by the goalkeeper.

Pablo Piatti and Negredo both had chances before the break but nothing came of them.

Dani Parejo smashed a shot against the post in the second half, before Domenech pulled off three consecutive saves as Gijon tried to hit Valencia on the counter.

Both teams introduced their substitutes late on and it was replacement Alcacer that broke Gijon hearts with a simple goal at the death.

The result leaves Valencia in sixth spot in the league while Gijon drop down to 13th.