Valencia welcomed struggling Eibar to the Mestalla on Sunday looking to strengthen their grip on fourth spot in La Liga.
The home side led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a back-post header from Nicolas Otamendi.
Los Che's second arrived in the 56th minute when Dani Parejo found the top corner, before Paco Alcacer added a third for the dominant hosts 20 minutes from time.
Eibar did have one back late on through Mikel Arruabarrena, but it was no more than a consolation.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga commentary continues from the Mestalla as high-flying Valencia welcome struggling Eibar. The home side have the chance to take control of fourth position ahead of Sevilla, but Eibar's need is more desperate as they battle to remain in the division.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
VALENCIA: Alves; Barragan, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gaya; Fuego, Parejo, Gomes; Feghouli, Alcacer, De Paul
EIBAR: Irureta; Boveda, Borja, Anibarro, Vila; Boateng, Garcia, Capa; Manu, Berjon, Piovaccari
So there we have it. Valencia boss Nuno has made four changes to the team that drew 1-1 against Rayo Vallecano on Thursday, with Javi Fuego, Sofiane Feghouli, Paco Alcacer and Rodrigo de Paul all selected in place of Enzo Perez, Rodrigo, Alvaro Negredo and Pablo Piatti, who are all on the bench. German centre-back Shkodran Mustafi is fit, however, despite picking up a knock last time out.
Eibar, meanwhile, are still without the services of injured pair Raul Navas and Jaime, but the strugglers otherwise have a fully-fit squad. Mikel Arruabarrena, Javi Lara and Abraham Minero have all dropped to the bench, with Manu del Moral, Derek Boateng and Federico Piovaccari in the XI.
Valencia's trip to Eibar earlier this season was the first time that the pair had met in a competitive match. It was a close-fought encounter in front of less than 5,000 supporters, but Alcacer's strike just past the half-hour mark ensured that Los Che returned to the Mestalla with all three points.
Valencia have actually only won two of their last six in the league and they dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Thursday. The former Spanish champions are still in fourth position in the table, however, following Sevilla's 3-2 defeat at home to Real Madrid on Saturday evening.
Valencia's home form this season has been excellent, with Nuno's side winning 14 of their 17 home league games and losing just once – to Barcelona. They have also only conceded eight times at the Mestalla, which is the best home defensive record in the league. On the road, however, they have dropped points in 11 of their 17 matches, which has seen them drop off the race for third position.
Valencia might be struggling on the road, but Eibar are struggling full stop. The minnows enjoyed a wonderful start to the season, but it has gone horribly wrong in 2015. They have won just one of their last 16 league matches, with that run of form leaving them in 16th position and now just one point outside of the relegation zone. Almeria, who are currently 17th, do not play until tomorrow evening.
The fact that Eibar, who lost 3-1 at home to Sevilla on Wednesday, are not bottom and cut adrift following that terrible run of form is an indication of just how impressive they were in the opening few months. They have won eight league games in total – four at home and four on the road. However, the strugglers have only scored 12 times in their 17 away games. Can they find a way to win at the Mestalla?
PREDICTION! To be blunt, I am really struggling to make a case for Eibar. Valencia are so strong at the Mestalla and they will be keen to return to winning ways. It might be tight in the early stages, but the hosts ultimately should have too much in the final third. Score prediction: Valencia 2-0 Eibar.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side get the first 45 minutes underway.
You just get the feeling that Eibar need to start well this evening if they are to stand any chance of causing a shock. As expected, it has been Valencia in control of the early possession at the Mestalla.
Fairly measured start from the home side as they continue to pass and probe, with Eibar working across the pitch. The visitors have had a couple of counters, but it has broken down thus far.
SAVE! The first attempt on target comes from De Paul as the Valencia attacker fires one from outside the box, but Irureta is across to make a smart save. First warning sign for Eibar here.
Eibar are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as the home side continue to pass and probe in the final third. Barragan races forward before going down, but the referee shakes his head.
Half-chance for the home side as Feghouli delivers a super cross towards Alcacer, but Irureta is on hand to punch clear ahead of the Spaniard. Gaya and Barragan are almost playing as wingers at the moment, with Eibar struggling to offer a threat down the other end. Still goalless at the Mestalla.
Valencia continue to deliver into the Eibar box, but Irureta has been strong aerially thus far and as expected, has been the far busier of the two goalkeepers. So far, so good for the visitors here.
Pass, pass, pass from Valencia as they continue to work the ball from side to side, but they are finding it difficult to really make an impression in the final third. Eibar's defensive unit is holding strong!
Eibar are more than happy to sit in and attempt to absorb the pressure and they have had a couple of bright moments on the counter attack, with Manu del Moral delivering dangerously from wide areas.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Dani Garcia has his pocket picked by Feghouli, who feeds Alcacer, but his low effort is just pushed wide of the post by Irureta.
CHANCE! First real chance for Eibar as Vila delivers a super cross towards the head of Piovaccari, but the Italian gets it all wrong and his effort goes harmlessly wide of the post. Wow!
Gomes fires high of the Eibar crossbar as the play continues to open up at both ends.
Otamendi does not look comfortable here, well he hasn't for about five minutes following an aerial challenge. It is a shoulder problem for the Argentine, whose involvement is in doubt for this one.
Feghouli remains a threat in a wide area for Valencia, but the Algerian's final ball has been a little disappointing thus far. Otamendi, meanwhile, is still not comfortable as he battles on for the hosts.
CHANCE! This time Feghouli does deliver a dangerous cross into the Eibar box, but Anibarro just manages to turn behind his own goal ahead of Alcacer, who was waiting to slot home.
GOAL! Valencia 1-0 Eibar (Otamendi)
Valencia make the breakthrough with 25 minutes on the clock as Otamendi heads a super Gaya cross into the back of the net. One defender to another and Los Che have the lead at the Mestalla.
Eibar will have to force the issue at some point, but that will leave all sorts of space for Valencia, who have such pace and movement on the counter. It is a tough position for Eibar to be in at the moment.
4 - Nicolas Otamendi has scored more headed goals than any other defender in La Liga this season. Surprise
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) May 3, 2015
Valencia continue to push forward and have another half-chance when Parejo delivers towards Alcacer, but the striker cannot make contact and Eibar have a goal kick. The home side still lead 1-0 here.
Another half-chance for Valencia as Mustafi meets a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his effort was always straight at Irureta, who has been by far the busier of the two goalkeepers thus far.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, Valencia are very comfortable. Eibar have had some decent moments on the counter, but it has been a half controlled by Los Che.
SAVE! De Paul again tries his luck for the home side after dancing to the edge of the box, but his dipping strike is pushed over the crossbar by Irureta. Great strike, even better save.
Decent pressure from Eibar in the last couple of minutes and a half-chance arrives when Capa delivers a dangerous corner towards Borja, but Alves is off his line to make a very positive clearance.
Just a reminder that, as it stands, Valencia would move three points clear of Sevilla in the race to finish in the top four. Eibar, meanwhile, would remain just outside the relegation zone in 16th position.
Vila tries his luck for Eibar after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always flying high and wide of the crossbar. As it stands, the visitors are still very much in the game at just 1-0 behind.
The home supporters are in wonderful voice as we approach the half-time interval and their team are in control of the possession. It is all going to plan for Valencia with almost half of this game completed.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the Mestalla.
HALF-TIME: Valencia 1-0 Eibar
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Valencia leading 1-0 courtesy of a header from Otamendi. The home side have been in control for long spells, but Eibar have had some decent moments on the counter and from a couple of set pieces. This one is far from over here.
STATS! Valencia have dominated the possession with 70%, while they have had eight attempts - four of which have been on target. Eibar, meanwhile, have failed to hit the target with either of their two attempts. There has not been a single booking thus far, which is a reflection of the game.
BENCH WATCH! Valencia have plenty of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Rodrigo, Alvaro Negredo, Enzo Perez and Pablo Piatti all capable of making a difference. Eibar, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Angel, Mikel Arruabarrena, Jon Errasti and Javi Lara.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Eibar find a route back into this match? It will be difficult. The visitors get the second 45 minutes underway here.
SUB! Eibar have made one change at the break with Arruabarrena replacing Piovaccari.
You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. A second for Valencia would make it very difficult for Eibar, who struggle to score goals on their travels.
As expected, Valencia have been on the front foot in the early stages of this half, but there has not been too much in the way of clear chances, with Eibar defending the edge of their own box well.
Half-chance for Eibar as Capa meets a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The tempo has been really laboured since the interval at the Mestalla.
It has been an untidy last couple of minutes, with both teams guilty of losing possession in the final third. Eibar are very much in this game at 1-0 and Valencia are not really forcing it at the moment.
An in-swinging corner from Manu causes problems inside the Valencia box, but Alves manages to palm over the crossbar. Boateng has a half-chance from the next corner, but his header is just over.
CROSSBAR! Valencia come close to their second as De Paul strikes one from the edge of the box, but his effort smashes against the crossbar! That came from absolutely nowhere!
GOAL! Valencia 2-0 Eibar (Parejo)
Valencia do indeed have their second of the match as Parejo curls one into the top corner. Wonderful effort from the Los Che skipper, who is the club's leading scorer this season. Surely that is game over.
It is really difficult to see Eibar responding from this position and it looks like it will be another defeat for the strugglers. Valencia, meanwhile, are heading three points clear of fifth-place Sevilla.
SUB! Valencia make their first change as Orban replaces Gaya.
Gaya is receiving some treatment to his hamstring at the moment - that will be a concern ahead of a massive final few weeks. Back on the field, Valencia continue to control the tempo of this game.
Little over 25 minutes of football remaining and Valencia are very much in control of matters at the Mestalla. Eibar are still carrying a threat in the final third, but the final ball just has not been good enough on their first-ever visit to this stadium. They are really struggling for results at the moment.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Alcacer smashes the ball into the back of the Eibar net, but the striker was just offside when he collected the pass. That really would have made sure of the points here.
SUB! Valencia make their second change as De Paul is replaced by Piatti.
SUB! Eibar make their second change as Manu del Moral is replaced by Angel.
BOOKING! Garcia (Eibar) is booked for a late challenge on Gomes.
GOAL! Valencia 3-0 Eibar (Alcacer)
Valencia have their third of the match and Alcacer has his ninth league goal of the season as the Spaniard converts from close range after Irureta had pushed a Parejo free kick onto the post.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Alcacer as Feghouli delivers a super ball onto the head of the Spaniard, but his effort was just high of the crossbar. Eibar are struggling at the moment.
Negredo is waiting to enter for the home side. He has been waiting forever...
... Angel makes a good run beyond the Valencia defence, but the pass is just too strong and Alves is out to collect. Eibar have had some decent moments, but the final ball just has not been there.
SUBS! Eibar make their third change of the match as Errasti replaces Garcia, while Valencia introduce Negredo in place of the holding midfielder Fuego. Little over 10 minutes remaining.
Possession football from the home side as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. In truth, this game was over the minute that Valencia took the lead. Eibar just do not score enough goals on the road and really needed to strike first to stand a chance. The hosts are extremely comfortable here.
Angel tries his luck for the away side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Not long remaining in this one and next up it is Malaga versus Elche.
GOAL! Valencia 3-1 Eibar (Arruabarrena)
Elche are on the scoresheet at the Mestalla as Angel does brilliantly to drive to the edge of the Valencia box before setting up Arruabarrena, who finishes into the bottom corner. Super goal that!
Surely it is too late to launch a comeback and Valencia are just killing the game with a period of possession. It is surely no more than a scare, but it was very sloppy from Los Che at the back.
BOOKING! Piatti (Valencia) is booked for a late challenge on Boveda.
Not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium as we approach the final moments here. Valencia have not been too impressive, but they have done enough and points are what count at this stage.
BOOKING! Gomes (Valencia) is booked for a poor challenge on Angel.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the Mestalla.
Half-chance for the home side as Feghouli plays in Negredo, who had found space inside the Eibar box, but the striker attempts to find Alcacer and the visitors manage to clear the danger.
FULL-TIME: Valencia 3-1 Eibar
So there we have it. Valencia move clear points clear of fifth-place Sevilla with a 3-1 win over Eibar, who are still just one point from safety. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
