Valencia dominate BATE Borisov for crucial victory

Valencia moved into pole position to progress from Group F with a second victory over BATE Borisov in as many weeks.

The Spanish giants were dominant from the outset and took the lead on 26 minutes when Jonas reacted quickest to a Tino Costa cross before finishing neatly from close range.

BATE quickly found themselves two goals behind when Valencia doubled their advantage just a minute later from the penalty spot.

Jonas was again the architect, drawing a rash foul to give Roberto Soldado the chance to score from eight yards.

The prolific striker made no mistake with a cool finish to the right of Andrei Gorbunov.

Valencia ended the match as a contest just after half-time when Sofiane Feghouli drilled home after superb approach play from Fernando Gago.

Viktor Goncharenko's side kept fighting and scored a consolation when Renan Bressan's whipped free kick evaded a penalty area full of players to nestle in the bottom corner.

A BATE comeback was on seven minutes from time when Dmitri Mozolevski tapped home after Gago was robbed of possession deep in his own half.

Valencia quickly extinguished hopes of a remarkable response two minutes later when Feghouli latched on to a cross from Eva Banega to put the result beyond doubt.