Sunday's penultimate La Liga clash pitted Valencia against Granada at the Mestalla.
An open first period brought chances for both sides, but neither could make the breakthrough.
Piti sent Granada ahead in the early stages of the second half, but Paco Alcacer levelled the scores after 64 minutes.
There was time for a winner in the latter stages when Ruben Vezo turned home from close range to secure Valencia all the points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Mestalla as Valencia welcome Granada. The home side are unbeaten in their last five games in the league, including wins over Barcelona and Real Betis, while they drew at Sevilla last time out. A total of 32 points from their 24 matches has left them in ninth position.
Granada, meanwhile, enter the match off the back of a 1-0 win over Betis last time out, with that victory ending in a run of three successive defeats. They currently sit in 12th position in the table on 27 points, but are far from safe with just five points separating them from Real Valladolid, who currently sit 18th.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for Granada. Valencia have won each of the last five matches, but goals have been at a premium with just seven strikes in the last five games. Each of the last two matches between the pair have ended in 1-0 Valencia wins.
TEAMS:
VALENCIA: Alves; Barragan, Vezo, Mathieu, Bernat; Fuego, Keita; Feghouli, Parejo, Fede; Vargas
GRANADA: Roberto; Nyom, Murillo, Coeff, Angulo; Recio, Iturra, Rico; Piti, El Arabi, Brahimi
So there we have it. Ruben Vezo comes into the Valencia team this evening, while Fede Cartabia and Seydou Keita are also in the XI, but there is no space for Jonas. Granada, meanwhile, are as expected with Youssef El-Arabi joined by Piti and Yacine Brahimi in the final third. Right, the home side get the first period underway at the Mestalla.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening, which is no surprise. There is a feel-good atmosphere around the club once more. Indeed it is a positive start from the hosts, who have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park at the moment as the challenges arrive from both sides. Granada have also settled with an early period of possession, but have not ventured into the Valencia half thus far. It could be a bit of a slow-burner at the Mestalla this evening.
5 - Valencia have won all 5 league meetings with Granada since the Andalusian side returned to the top-flight; all by the odd goal. Catapult
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 23, 2014
Opportunity for Valencia to threaten from a free kick as Barragan is felled down the right by Angulo. The resulting set piece is delivered into the Granada box by Parejo, but Mathieu's header just drops wide of the post.
Not too much for the Granada supporters to get excited about in the opening eight minutes with Valencia in control of the possession. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in this type of match. A Granada goal would certainly quieten this lively crowd.
Keita attempts to force the issue for Valencia as the experienced midfielder slides a through pass towards Vargas, but Nyom is on hand to clear at the vital moment. El-Arabi has a sight of goal down the other end moments later, but his effort is straight into the arms of Alves.
Another half-chance for the home side as Fede finds some space inside the Granada box before striking towards goal, but Coeff is on hand to make a fine block. Valencia want a penalty moments later as Angulo appears to handle, but the referee is not interested.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Piti finds the run of Rico just outside the Valencia box, but Vezo is across to make a stunning challenge at the vital moment. The resulting corner is delivered deep towards Iturra, but the danger is cleared before Granada gain a free kick right on the edge of the box.
CLOSE! The resulting free kick from Piti hits his own player in the wall before moving behind for a goal kick. Much better from the away side, who have been second best in the opening 17 minutes.
Slight stoppage in play in the last couple of moments as Granada goalkeeper Roberto receives a period of treatment following a clash with Feghouli. However, it does appear that the goalkeeper will be fit to continue. Granada are forced into a separate change, however, with Rico, who has been struggling with a knock, leaves the field for Fatau.
Not too much for the Granada supporters to get excited about in the last few moments as Valencia continue to force the issue in the final third. Despite their lack of chances, Granada have been composed in possession in the opening 22 minutes.
Possession football from Valencia in the last couple of moments as they keep hold of the ball in the Granada half. Fede creates a half-chance after feeding Feghouli in a wide position, but his cross is straight into the arms of Roberto, who has recovered from that knock.
Keita enters the book for the home side following a late challenge on Murillo. The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late tackles. Not too much to report in terms of chances with 26 minutes on the clock at the Mestalla.
Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Pamplona as Osasuna welcome Atletico Madrid - be sure to remain with us for that one. Back at the Mestalla, not too much is happening with both sides flattering to deceive in the final third. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
The untidiness continues as Feghouli is chopped down by Angulo in a wide position. The resulting free kick from Parejo is met by Mathieu, but his effort is well wide of the post. That has been the story of the first period thus far - plenty of endeavour, but little quality in the final third of the field.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Fede finds some space on the edge of the box before trying his luck, but Roberto manages to make the save. Moments later, the Granada stopper wins another battle with the lively Fede.
CHANCE! A lightening break from Granada brings a clear opportunity as Brahimi finds some space inside the Valencia box, but somehow the attacker fires his effort across the face of goal. Opportunities are starting to arrive in the latter stages of the half.
Nyom threatens for Granada as the right-back drives down the wing before delivering into the box, but Alves is on hand to collect. Valencia are down the other end with Feghouli moments later, but his cross fails to find a teammate. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining at the Mestalla.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Feghouli meets a pass from Bernat inside the box, but the midfielder cannot make proper contact and the danger is cleared. End-to-end football in the latter stages of the first period.
Half-chance for Granada as Piti finds Fatau on the edge of the box, but his effort is wide of the post. Valencia carry the ball immediately into the Granada half with Fede, but his through pass finds Vargas in an offside position. Pulsating La Liga clash, but still goalless.
A poor challenge from Fede on Nyom gains the Valencia attacker a yellow card. The home side have been in control of the possession for the last couple of moments, but Granada remain tight and compact in defensive areas. Not too much time is expected at the end of the first period.
HALF TIME: Valencia 0-0 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Valencia have had the better of the chances, but Granada have also had their moments in an open 45 minutes. It is delicately poised ahead of the second period at the Mestalla.
STATISTICS: Valencia have dominated the possession with 67%, while they have had eight attempts - two of which have been on target - to Granada's six. It has been a feisty half in terms of challenges, meanwhile, with the referee issuing yellow cards to Valencia pair Keita and Fede.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Jonas, Paco Alcacer and Michel. Meanwhile, Granada have the likes of Riki, Foulquier and Pereira in reserve. The away side have already been forced into one change with Fatau replacing the injured Rico in the early stages.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Osasuna against Atletico Madrid - be sure to remain with us for that. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway at the Mestalla.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that both managers will consider alterations if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
GOAL! Valencia 0-1 Granada (Piti)
It is a real horror moment from Fuego as the Valencia midfielder attempts to chest it down in his own box, but Piti is on the scene to flash one into the bottom corner. First blood to the visitors!
Glaring error from Fuego, whose side trail on their own patch. Valencia attempt to respond immediately as Feghouli delivers a dangerous cross towards Fede, but Iturra is on hand to clear at the vital moment.
Another half-chance for the away side as Piti delivers a dangerous cross into the Valencia box, but Mathieu just manages to clear under pressure from El-Arabi. It is the away supporters that can be heard with 52 minutes on the clock at the Mestalla.
Valencia boss Pizzi wastes no time in making a change as the Spaniard brings on young forward Alcacer in place of Keita. Not too much in the way of a response from Valencia, with Granada comfortable in dealing with the threat. However, there is still a lot of football to be played.
The home supporters are not too pleased with the referee as the official fails to award Vargas a free kick just outside the box. Jose Gonzalez plays the advantage, but the home side quickly lose possession of the ball. It remains 1-0 Granada with little over 30 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.
Possession football from Valencia in the last couple of moments, but they are not really threatening in the final third. Feghouli has a sight of goal after combining with Barragan, but his low effort is wide of the post. Jonas will soon enter proceedings for the hosts.
Indeed the change is made with Jonas, who is Valencia's leading scorer this season, replaces Vargas, which is a surprise. There is still plenty of time for the home side to turn this one around that is for certain.
CHANCE! Almost an immediate impact for Jonas as the Brazilian meets a low cross from Feghouli, but his header just glances wide of the post. Much better from the hosts with 63 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Valencia 1-1 Granada (Alcacer)
Valencia are on terms at the Mestalla as Alcacer turns a Feghouli cross into the back of the net from close range. However, the Spaniard was clearly offside when he made contact.
Well, it was a fine finish from the little Spaniard, but he was in an offside position. It is harsh on Granada, but the pressure had been building. You just get the feeling that there are more goals in this match with still around 20 minutes to play at the Mestalla.
CHANCE! Feghouli is again the provider for the home side as he spots Jonas on the edge of the box, but the Brazilian's low effort is pushed wide of the post by Roberto. One-way traffic at the moment with Granada simply unable to keep the ball.
Granada make their second change of the match as Michael Pereira enters the field in place of Brahimi, who has faded after a bright first period. Valencia continue to dominate possession in the final third with Feghouli more involved in the centre of the pitch. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining.
In truth, a draw would not be the worst result for Granada this evening, but there is still a long way to go in this match. It has been an untidy last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. It appears that Valencia are preparing to make their third and final change.
Half-chance for Jonas as the Valencia forward finds some space outside the box before curling one towards the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post. Indeed the change is made for the home side moments later as Michel replaces Fede, who has struggled after a bright first period. Still 1-1 with 76 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, with Granada attempting to slow the tempo whenever possible. The home supporters are extremely vocal at the moment as they attempt to drive their side into the Granada half. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in this pulsating La Liga clash.
Good spell for Granada in the last couple of moments as they enjoy possession of the ball, but twice in quick succession Piti has low crosses cleared. Just a reminder that following this match we have live text coverage of Osasuna against Atletico Madrid - be sure to remain with us for that...
Los jugadores de #Osasuna ya calientan sobre el césped de El Sadar. pic.twitter.com/SjPGjRBgFh
— CA OSASUNA (@CAOsasuna) February 23, 2014
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score their second as Alcacer meets a low cross from Barragan, but Roberto is on hand to make a fine save. The pressure continues to grow.
Another opportunity for the home side as Jonas finds some space on the edge of the box before setting up Michel, but his effort is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Not too much from Granada at the moment with Piti isolated in the final third. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining at the Mestalla.
Granada make their third and final change of the match as Foulquier enters the field in place of Piti, who has been brilliant this evening. Moments before, Parejo was perhaps lucky to remain on the field for kicking out at Iturra, who was on the ground. Is there to be late drama at the Mestalla?
Possession football from Valencia as they continue to keep the ball in the Granada half, but the away side remain tight and compact in defensive areas. You just get the feeling that there is one last big chance in this match. On the balance of play, a draw is just about a fair reflection of what we have seen.
GOAL! Valencia 2-1 Granada (Vezo)
The home side take the lead in the first minute of stoppage time as 19-year-old defender Vezo turns home at the far post following a deep free kick. What a moment for the Portuguese.
Granada attempt to respond by pumping the ball forward, but Vezo is on hand to perform his defensive duties with a towering header. Valencia are on the verge of making it six league games unbeaten.
FULL TIME: Valencia 2-1 Granada
So there we have it. Valencia secure all the points courtesy of that late strike from Vezo. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Osasuna against Atletico. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
