Valencia left little doubt that they are serious about claiming a Champions League spot next season with a 5-1 demolition job on Malaga. Granada kept up their fight against relegation with a 1-1 draw against Valladolid.
La Liga Saturday: Valencia crush Malaga, Granada draws Valladolid
Valencia needed no late goal today as they completely smashed Malaga 5-1. Granada saved a point late to keep their hopes of escaping relegation alive.
Manuel Queimadelos Alonso
Here’s a recap of both games.
Granada 1-1 Real Valladolid
Granada were the better side on the day but were forced to come from behind and settle for a 1-1 draw against Real Valladolid. Patrick Ebert put the visitors in front in the 58th minute with a curling shot that beat Granada keeper Roberto. Granada equalized in the 73rd minute when Diego Buonanotte found Youssef El Arabi with a long pass forward and the striker sent a bouncing header past Jaime Jimenez.
Valencia 5-1 Malaga
After needing last second goals for two straight weeks to secure points, Valencia opened up a proverbial can of you know what on Malaga. Los Che exploded for four goals in a seven minute stretch in the first half as Daniel Parejo and Sergio Canalas both scored while Roberto Saldado netted a brace in less than two minutes. Júlio Baptista scored a consolation goal from Malaga in first half stoppage time, but a goal from Ever Banega early in the second half squashed any hopes of a miraculous comeback.
Malaga drops down to sixth place and could be seven points out of fourth if Real Sociedad wins their game this week. Valencia on the other hand keeps the pressure on Real, moving back within a point for the final Champions League spot.
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