Valencia welcomed Real Mallorca to the Mestalla on Saturday knowing that three points would have moved them into fifth position in the table.
Mallorca were handed an advantage when Tino Costa was dismissed in the first period, but neither team were able to enter the break in the lead.
Valencia took the lead in the second period, however, when Ricardo Costa headed home from close range before Roberto Soldado tied up the points late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! The first of our three back-to-back live commentaries in La Liga comes from Valencia as the home side welcome a struggling Mallorca outfit. Valencia suffered disappointment in the Champions League midweek when they were beaten 2-1 by Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 clash, but their league form has been strong in recent weeks.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Mallorca have enjoyed the best of it having won twice and drawn twice in their last five matches with Valencia. The Mestalla outfit’s only win in those matches came in March 2011 at the home of Mallorca. However, it would be fair to state that Valencia enter this match as the favourites.
Valencia have taken 13 points from their last six matches, which places them as one of the in-form teams in the division. That is in contrast to Mallorca who have taken just two points in the same period. Three points for the home side in this match would move them into fifth position in the table, which is a fine achievement based on their early-season struggles.
For Mallorca, it promises to be a difficult end to the season. They picked up a 1-1 draw with Osasuna last time out, but they sit six points from safety. The gap between 16th and the bottom three is also rapidly rising with Bilbao and Granada both picking up good results in recent weeks. Not too many are backing Mallorca to escape.
TEAMS:
VALENCIA: Alves; Costa, Rami, Pereira, Guardado; Costa, Feghouli, Parejo, Bernat; Soldado, Jonas
MALLORCA: Aouate; Hutton, Nunes, Geromel, Luna; Tissone, Marti, Pina, Alfaro; Giovani, Hemed
So there we have it. Valencia once more pair Jonas and Roberto Soldado in attack, while Diego Alves is handed the goalkeeping gloves at the expense of Guaita, who was poor against PSG in the week. Mallorca are pretty much as expected, meanwhile, with Giovani Dos Santos providing support to Hemed in the final third.
Valencia enter the match with a fairly impressive home record this season having won seven of their 12 matches on their own patch. That is in contrast to Mallorca, who have won just one game on the road this season, losing eight in the process. Valencia’s away form has also been strong this season with four wins from 11 matches, but Mallorca have won just three times on their own patch.
Taking a look at the numbers, it is easy to see why Mallorca have struggled this season. They have conceded 43 goals in their 23 matches, which is the third-worst record in the division. Meanwhile, they have scored 23 down the other end. That is in contrast to Valencia, who have conceded 35 times and scored 32.
Let me just take this moment to remind you what we have to come this evening. Following the completion of this match we head straight to Real Valladolid against Atletico Madrid, before the late start sees Real Madrid welcome an improving Rayo Vallecano outfit. Two cracking games, believe me you will not want to miss it.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. It is difficult to see any possible way that Valencia do not win this match. I am backing a 3-0 home win.
Today's referee is Miguel Perez. Let's hope that we are discussing the football and not the officials come the end of the 90 minutes. It would also be nice to keep all 22 players on the pitch with a series influx of red cards in La Liga this season. Right, the home side get the action underway.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. A reminder that three points for the home side would move them into fifth, but Mallorca will remain in the relegation zone regardless of the result. Lively start to proceedings at the Mestalla with both sides beginning the match with a fast tempo.
Half-chance for the home side to open the scoring as Soldado finds Jonas outside the penalty area, but the Brazilian can only curl his effort over the crossbar. Another opportunity arrives moments later as Pereira fires a low cross into the move, but Alan Hutton is on hand to clear the danger.
The opportunities continue to fall for Valencia in the early stages as Soldado meets a cross from Costa, but the striker cannot make proper connection with his head. Mallorca attempt to advance down the other end with Giovani, but it breaks down. The home supporters are really up for this one.
The first yellow card of the match is awarded to Dani Perejo as the Valencia midfielder is guilty of fouling Pina outside the penalty area. The resulting free kick is taken by Giovani, but the former Tottenham winger's effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Mallorca really need the Mexican to perform in this match.
The opening 10 minutes of this match has simply flown by with both teams prepared to commit numbers forward in each attack. Again Soldado is involved for Valencia as he collects possession out wide before feeding Feghouli in the box, but Nunes comes across to clear the danger. Still no real chances for either side.
Half-chance for the away side as Alfaro finds space in the Valencia penalty area before striking an effort towards the bottom corner, but Alves is across to make the save. The resulting set piece is taken by Marti, but Rami combines with Costa to clear into the opposing half.
It's Valencia's turn to cause problems in the Mallorca penalty area as Parejo drives into the penalty area before finding a low cross towards Soldado, but Aouate palms clear at the vital moment. The resulting corner is whipped into the box by Guardado, but Jose Nunes heads clear. Mallorca will certainly be content with their start to this match.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes with both teams guilty of giving away a host of fouls in and around the opposing penalty area. The latest free kick allows Costa the chance to shoot from distance, but instead he clips into the area, with Aouate coming a long way to clear.
A wonderful counter from the away side almost opens the scoring as Hemed plays a fine pass behind the Valencia defence towards Giovani, but Alves is out at the vital moment to clear the danger. Valencia advance straight down the other end, with Feghouli meeting a cross from Jonas, but he can only head wide of the target.
All one-way traffic at the moment as the home side continue to force the issue in wide areas, but in fairness to Mallorca they have looked much more compact in this match. If they can score the first goal, then anything could happen. Valencia were not up at their best at home to PSG in midweek that's for certain.
Jose Nunes is the latest player to have his name taken for a foul on Soldado outside the penalty area, but the resulting set piece from Costa is well wide of the post. Mallorca continue to offer strong ambition down the other end with a free kick of their own, but Giovani's cross is punched clear by Alves.
There has certainly been a good tempo to the opening 24 minutes of this match, but we are still waiting for the first real chance. I must admit that I expected Valencia to steamroll Mallorca, but that has not been the case. It could be argued that the away side have offered more of an attacking threat. What a result it would be if they could take something from the game.
The free kicks continue to arrive for the home side as Costa whips another dangerous cross into the box, but once more Luna rises highest to clear the danger. The pressure continues as Guardado searches out Soldado at the far post, but this time Geromel clears at the vital moment.
Another half-chance for the home side as Guardado finds Jonas in the penalty area, but the Brazilian cannot make proper contact as it moves out for a throw. It would not be unfair to say that his finishing has let him down this season. Once more Mallorca attack down the other end with Giovani, but it comes to nothing.
Just a few signs that Valencia have started to take control of the possession with Costa and Parejo enjoying plenty of the ball in midfield. Guardado attempts to go alone as he drives to the edge of the box, but Pina comes across to commit another foul.
RED CARD! The home side are reduced 10 men as Tino Costa is adjudged to have fouled Tissone. Looking at the replay, it was not a pleasant challenge from the experienced midfielder. The referee took the view that it was dangerous. What a lift for the away side.
Another game in La Liga, another red card. There does seem to have been a serious influx this season. I cannot quite work out why, but that is football. The challenges continue to fly in from the away side, however, and I would be surprised if another card was not awarded in the remainder of this match.
The sending off has certainly lifted Mallorca with the away side committing numbers to each attack, but you just get the feeling that Valencia will score at some point in this match. They very rarely fail to hit the back of the net at the Mestalla. Still no real chances for either side with little over 10 minutes of the half remaining.
CHANCE! Glorious opportunity for the away side to take the lead as Giovani finds Luna in the Valencia penalty area, but the Spaniard can only fire over the crossbar under the challenge of Jonas. Meanwhile, the home side are forced into a change as Bernat is replaced by Victor Ruiz.
The end-to-end period in the match continues as Soldado combines with Jonas before striking towards the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post. Hemed comes close with a header down the other end, but Alves is on hand to collect under pressure from Alfaro. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Alfaro cuts inside before striking a powerful effort towards the bottom corner, but Alves comes across to collect. How do Mallorca set up in the second period? They have the man advantage, but Valencia are more than capable of scoring should they open up and leave holes in defence.
Glorious chance for Mallorca to counter as Giovani takes it past two defenders before finding Alfaro in the box, but his touch is poor, allowing Rami across to clear. A half-chance comes down the other end for Jonas, but the Brazilian fires straight at the goalkeeper. Wonderful entertainment at the Mestalla.
Valencia have a real problem here as Rami is forced off with an injury. Victor Ruiz will come into the middle of their defence, with Sergio Canales coming into the midfield. Mallorca again create a half-chance with fine play from Giovani, but the Mexican is just too quick for his teammates, with his low cross moving along the edge of the box. Meanwhile, we will play an additional two minutes of added time.
Strong end to the second period from the home side as Soldado combines with Jonas before advancing into the box, the Spaniard wants a striker as he is felled by Luna, but the referee shakes his head. Just about 20 seconds of the first period remaining.
HALF-TIME: Valencia 0-0 Real Mallorca
So there we have it. The referee blows the half-time whistle with the two sides level at 0-0. In truth, there have not been a vast amount of clear chances, with the major incident seeing Costa dismissed for Valencia. Mallorca can smell a rat here.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Mallorca have shaded the possession with 53%, while they have had six attempts to Valencia's two. Based on this performance, it would be difficult to place them inside the bottom three in the table. But there is still 45 minutes of football to play.
What about the benches for this match? The home side have just one change remaining, with Pablo Piatti and Nelson Valdez the most obvious options. Mallorca, meanwhile, could call upon Victor to provide an attacking threat in the second period. It is just so delicately poised.
As it stands, Valencia would move into fifth position in the table, while Mallorca would remain in the bottom three. However, Rayo Vallecano would jump into fifth should they pick up all three points against Real Madrid this evening. Right, the second period is just a couple of minutes away.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch. No changes for either side at the interval which is not too surprising based on the events in the first period. A reminder that following the completion of this match we have action from Real Valladolid against Atletico Madrid. The away side get the half underway.
Strong start to the second period from the home side as Parejo combines with Soldado before striking an effort from outside the box, but it just moves past the post. Mallorca advance down the other end with Giovani, but the quality of the final pass is just short of what is requited. Mallorca have a real chance of taking something from this match.
Decent possession from the away side in the last couple of moments as Hutton drives down the right before driving a low cross into the box, but Pereira is across to clear the danger. Valencia advance down the other end with Soldado, but the striker is immediately surrounded by two defenders and the Spaniard cannot find a pass.
Slight handbags between Tissone and Periera as the former fells the latter outside the penalty area. Pereira is making friends once more. The resulting free kick is taken by Soldado, but his effort is straight into the stands. Lively start to this second period, but still no real clear chances for either side.
Decent spell from Mallorca in the last couple of moments as they pen Valencia into their own half with a series of throws into the penalty area, but it is easy to see why Mallorca have struggled to score goals this season. A point for both sides, especially at this stage of events, would not be the worst result. A reminder that Valencia are down to 10 men having lost Costa in the first period.
Another half-chance for the away side as Giovani darts into the penalty area before crossing towards Hemed, but once more Ricardo Costa is on hand to clear the danger. Really is an end-to-end period of the match at the moment with both sides more than willing to commit numbers to each attack. It is just so delicately poised.
Little over 30 minutes of this match to play and still neither side has been able to open the scoring. It cannot be said that either team are really on top, with both offering an attacking threat. It is the type of match that could be won by the single goal. Soldado is again involved for the home side as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but it moves wide of the post.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Alfaro strikes an effort from outside the box, but it deflects behind for a corner. The resulting set piece allows Nunes the chance to head towards goal, but it just moves the wrong side of the post. Valencia supporters will not thank me for saying this, but the red card has created a more entertaining match.
Really strong period from the away side at the moment as they continue to pen Valencia into their own penalty area, but they just cannot find that final pass at the vital moment. Valencia advance down the other end with Jonas, but once more the Brazilian cannot find his strike partner. Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment.
GOAL! Valencia 1-0 Mallorca (Costa)
Vital moment in this match as Ricardo Costa meets a corner from Parejo before thumping his header into the back of the net. One Costa has let them down in this match, but the other has sent them into the lead.
Valencia make their third and final change of the match as Jonas is replaced by Ali Cissokho. Mallorca simply have to go for this match now. It doesn't matter if they lose 2-0, but they cannot sit back and hope to grab something. Meanwhile, the away side make another change as Michael Pereira replaces Alfaro.
It has been a strong response from Mallorca with the away side forcing two corners in quick succession, but it just will not go in with Valencia on hand to produce some fine defending once more. Meanwhile, the away side make their second change of the match as Javi Marquez replaces Tissone.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Hemed rises highest in the penalty area, but he can only head wide of the post. Soldado is up to his old tricks down the other end as he darts into the penalty area before striking towards the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the target.
Another opportunity for the away side comes to Pereira as the Frenchman bursts behind the defence before firing an effort towards goal, but it moves past the post. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Valencia lead 1-0 despite being down to 10 men. Can Mallorca respond?
Cissokho attempts to create something down the other end as he drives into the penalty area before slipping a low pass towards Soldado, but once more Nunes is across to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that there is one more goal to come in this match. But despite Mallorca's possession, they have not really offered a strong threat.
Meanwhile, the away side make their third and final change of the match as Victor replaces Luna. It is all or nothing for the away side. They have to start picking up points at this stage of the season. It is almost 2-0 as Soldado crafts into the box, but his shot is blocked by Hutton at the vital moment.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for the away side to level the scores as Victor meets a cross from Giovani, but Alves is across to make a quite stunning save. Soldado again challenges for a header down the other end, but he gets more height than power. Little under 15 minutes of football remaining.
The pressure continues as Mallorca slip low passes behind the Valencia defence, but each time it just runs away from their forwards. You just get the feeling that Mallorca could play all evening and still not score. Valencia ease the pressure on the counter, however, with Marquez booked for a foul on Parejo.
End-to-end period of the match as Giovani collects possession before driving into the Valencia penalty area, but once more the Mexican just cannot find a teammate, with Costa on hand to clear. Valencia advance down the other end with the pacey Feghouli, but the quality of the final pass leaves a lot to be desired.
GOAL! Valencia 2-0 Mallorca (Soldado)
Valencia all but secure the three points as Soldado collects a pass from Parejo before driving into the penalty area and finding the bottom corner. That is just about it for this one. Poor afternoon for Mallorca.
Mallorca really had an opportunity to take something from this match when Valencia were reduced to 10 men, but they have never really offered an indication that they can score goals. The home supporters are in full voice as we enter the final five minutes of normal time.
It has been all Valencia in the last couple of moments as they end this match the stronger. Soldado comes close to his second of the match as he meets a low cross from Pereira, but it was always moving wide of the post. The pressure continues with Canales, but Jose Nunes steps across to clear the danger.
Decent response from Mallorca in the latter stages of this match with Giovani and Hemed both having efforts from distance, but neither comes close to really opening their tally for the evening. They will remain in the relegation zone after week 24 in La Liga.
Guardado appears to have a problem here as he hits the deck holding his hamstring, but the home side have made all three of their changes. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes of stoppage time and we are indeed into the first of those.
Guardado does indeed depart the pitch, leaving the home side to complete the match with nine men. The fact that they still have possession despite that fact is an indication of Mallorca's threat in the final third. Giovani has certainly looked the most likely, but the Mexican has been unable to find the back of the net.
FULL-TIME: Valencia 2-0 Real Mallorca
So there we have it. Valencia score twice in the second period to record a 2-0 win over Mallorca, who remain in the bottom three. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Real Valladolid against Atletico Madrid. Until then!
