Valencia welcomed Real Sociedad to the Mestalla on Sunday looking to move level on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid in the La Liga table.
Neither side could break the deadlock in the first period, despite Valencia having 12 attempts.
The hosts made sure of the points in the second half, however, following a quickfire double from Pablo Piatti.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Mestalla as Valencia welcome Real Sociedad. Sociedad have enjoyed the better of the recent meetings between the two teams, but Valencia will certainly enter this one as the favourites. It has all the makings of a real classic affair.
Right, first and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS
VALENCIA: Alves; Barragan, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gaya; Fuego, Perez, Parejo; Feghouli, Negredo, Piatti
SOCIEDAD: Rulli; Yuri, Ansotegi, Inigo, Aritz; Canales, Pardo, Elustondo, Granero, Prieto; Agirretxe
So there we have it. Paco Alcacer is still injured for Valencia, while Rodrigo has been left on the bench. As a result, Sofiane Feghouli and Pablo Piatti will support the lone forward Alvaro Negredo. Antonio Barragan also keeps his place in the team, while Enzo Perez returns to central midfield for Los Che.
Sociedad boss David Moyes, meanwhile, is still without the services of David Zurutuza, Carlos Vela, Mikel Gonzalez and Carlos Martinez. Imanol Agirretxe will once again start as the lone forward for the Basque outfit, with a midfield five operating behind. Young left-back Aritz Elustondo is also in the XI.
As touched upon in the introduction, Sociedad have, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, dominated the recent meetings between the two sides – winning four of the last five matches. They have picked up all the points on each of their last two visits to the Mestalla – winning 2-1 last season and 5-2 in the 2012-13 campaign. Third time lucky here for Valencia? Sociedad are the underdogs for this one.
Valencia have won five of their last six games to consolidate fourth position in the table. Los Che are currently five points clear of fifth-place Sevilla, while they are now only three points behind third-place Atletico Madrid. Last time out, they won 2-1 at basement side Cordoba, while they have lost just once in the league since returning from the winter break. Can they snatch third from Atletico?
Valencia's home form this season has been very, very strong, meanwhile. Indeed, only Atletico Madrid have taken more points than Valencia at home this season, with Nuno's side winning 10 of their 12 matches and losing just once - late on against Barcelona. They have also been impressive on the road – losing just three of their 12 games and collecting 19 points. It has been a strong season thus far.
Sociedad, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of an incredible 4-3 win over Sevilla last weekend. The Basque outfit trailed 3-2 entering the final 10 minutes, but turned it around to delight their supporters. The victory moved David Moyes's side into 10th position in the table, but they have since dropped to 11th and are still only five points clear of the relegation zone with 14 to play.
Sociedad are still looking for their first away win of the season in La Liga. The Basque side have drawn six of their 11 away games – losing five. They have also managed just eight goals, which is an indication of their struggles. Sociedad have some favourable fixtures ahead, however, and a top-half finish for Moyes would certainly be considered a success after their poor start to the campaign.
PREDICTION! I really fancy Valencia here it must be said. Sociedad have certainly turned a corner under Moyes, but their away record is really poor and the loss of Vela has harmed their ability to worry the opposition. It might be tight for long spells, but I fully expect the hosts to come through 2-0.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Valencia move level on points with third-place Atletico? The home side get the first 45 minutes underway here.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this early afternoon. The pitch is also in excellent condition, while the weather is being very kind indeed. We have everything needed for a super game of football and Valencia have started very much on the front foot early on here.
Sociedad manage to gain a period of possession following a strong start from the hosts, but it does not last long. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
Good spell for Sociedad in the last 60 seconds as they force two corners in quick succession, but Valencia manage to repel the danger. Early signs of promise from the visitors to the Mestalla.
CHANCE! Sociedad come close to opening the scoring as Agirretxe collects a loose header from Mustafi, but Alves is out very quickly to smother the striker and gain the free kick. Super goalkeeping.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Gaya finds a pocket of space inside the Sociedad box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. End-to-end football in the sunshine here.
Valencia have just started to regain control in the final third, but the last couple of attacks have broken down through Negredo, who has been untidy in possession thus far. Feghouli has the chance to stretch his legs down the right moments later, but there are no takers on the Algerian's low cross.
The referee has been very, very picky in the last couple of minutes and Piatti shows his frustration after being penalised for what seemed a fair challenge on Aritz Elustondo. Still no goals at the Mestalla.
BOOKING! Gorka Elustondo (Sociedad) is booked for a tug on Perez.
The resulting free kick is taken by Parejo, but his effort is high and wide. Very poor from a player that is much better than that. The atmosphere remains high with 13 minutes on the clock here.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Valencia as a poor kick from Rulli presents the ball to Parejo, who slides a pass into Feghouli, but his effort is wide of the post. It was poor from the Algerian, who had a simple pass into Negredo. Safe to say that Negredo is not best pleased with his teammate.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments following a couple of late challenges from both sides. Still goalless, but Valencia are looking the most likely.
Super football from Valencia in the last couple of minutes as Parejo finds Gaya with a clever flick, but his low cross is cleared at the near post. The home side also threaten from the resulting corner, but Mustafi's effort is just wide of the post. The pressure is starting to increase from the hosts here.
The match has just become a little scrappy in the last couple of minutes, with a host of late challenges interrupting the flow. The latest stoppage allows both managers to pass some instructions on.
Ansotegi and Feghouli are both still down - it does not look great for the latter here.
It appears that both Ansotegi and Feghouli will be fit to continue following a period of treatment. That stoppage has just dropped the tempo and indeed atmosphere inside the stadium. Still 0-0.
Piatti continues to threaten from a wide area as the Argentine delivers another stunning cross, but Negredo cannot make contact inside the middle. The home side continue to look the most likely.
Valencia have a strong penalty appeal as Elustondo appears to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Moments later, Otamendi fires over the crossbar as the score remains goalless.
Gaya continues to cause problems in a wide area, but Parejo can only turn the left-back's cross high of the crossbar. Valencia remain on the front foot, with Sociedad struggling in the final third here.
Valencia's choice of pass has not been too great this afternoon as Feghouli lifts one straight into the arms of the Sociedad goalkeeper after finding all sorts of space in the final third of the field.
Valencia continue to force the issue in the final third, with Sociedad unable to retain possession for longer than a couple of passes. However, the home side's choice of final pass has been a little poor. Negredo in particular has been caught on the ball on too many occasions - improvement needed.
Sociedad remain strong from set pieces as Valencia continue to boss this game in all areas.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sociedad as Pardo finds space inside the Valencia box before sliding a pass into Prieto, but his goal-bound strike is blocked my Mustafi. Excellent defending there!
BOOKING! Aritz (Sociedad) is booked for a late challenge on Perez.
Parejo delivers the resulting free kick, but it is deflected behind for yet another Valencia corner.
Javi Fuego clears the stands after meeting a bouncing ball outside the box. I suspect that one will land in Madrid at around 3pm this afternoon. Not great quality from the Spaniard there.
Quite a scrappy end to this half as the referee is forced to intervene following a couple of high and indeed late challenges. The overall quality in the final third has been pretty poor from both teams.
Otamendi looks in serious pain as he hits the deck after taking a challenge from his own player Perez! The Argentine attempted to tackle Granero, but instead raked his foot onto the ankle of Otamendi.
It is a really nasty one, with Otamendi's ankle almost turning under pressure from Perez.
We are into the second of three additional minutes at the Mestalla.
BOOKING! Perez (Valencia) is booked for a late challenge on Granero.
HALF-TIME: Valencia 0-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. Valencia have dominated the match in terms of chances, but their finishing has been very poor. Sociedad, meanwhile, have not really threatened, but they are still on terms at the Mestalla.
STATS! Sociedad have just about shaded the possession with 51%, but the visitors have only had one attempt thus far. Valencia, meanwhile, have had 12 attempts, but just one of those has been on target. There have also been three bookings during what has been a feisty encounter thus far.
BENCH WATCH! Valencia boss Rodrigo has three forward-thinking players on his bench this afternoon, with De Paul, Gomes and Rodrigo all capable of making an impact. Sociedad, meanwhile, have the likes of Finnbogason and Hervias in reserve. Will we see any changes at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we see a goal at the Mestalla? Let's hope so! It is the away side that get the second 45 minutes underway.
SUB! Valencia have made one change at the break, with Orban replacing Otamendi, who failed to recover from that knock that he suffered in the latter part of the first period.
SUB! Sociedad have also made one change at the break, with Hervias replacing Canales.
Half-chance for the home side as Feghouli meets a cross from Gaya, but his volley is deflected high and wide for a corner. Good pressure from Los Che in the early minutes of the second period.
Valencia have a free kick just outside the box as Piatti is brought to the ground by Pardo...
... the resulting set piece is delivered by Parejo, but Orban cannot make contact under pressure from two Sociedad defenders. All the pressure is coming from the hosts in the early minutes here.
GOAL! Valencia 1-0 Sociedad (Piatti)
Valencia make the breakthrough with 53 minutes on the clock as Piatti converts from close range after a super cross from Parejo. It took a big deflection en route to goal, but Piatti will surely claim.
In truth, that goal had been coming from Valencia, who have been utterly dominant for almost all of this match. Can Sociedad respond? The visitors have thus far really struggled in the final third.
GOAL! Valencia 2-0 Sociedad (Piatti)
Super, super goal from Valencia. The home side have their second of the match as Feghouli races down the right before squaring for Piatti, who cannot miss from close range. Game over?
Half-chance for Sociedad as Hervias strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and the visitors are struggling.
Sociedad have just managed to stem the flow of pressure and enjoy some possession of their own, but Pardo's effort from the edge of the box was always moving wide of the post. You just get the feeling that the visitors need to score in the next few minutes if they are to turn this around.
Valencia have a free kick just outside the box as Perez is felled by Pardo...
... the resulting free kick is taken by Parejo, but his effort is just high of the crossbar.
SUB! Sociedad make their second change as De la Bella replaces Gorka Elustondo.
You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this afternoon as Valencia continue to force the issue in the final third. Feghouli remains extremely dangerous in the final third here.
Half-chance for Sociedad as Yuri finds some space outside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. Plenty of half-chances for both sides, but the score remains 2-0 Valencia.
SUB! Valencia make their second change as Rodrigo replaces Feghouli.
Half-chance for Valencia as Negredo meets an excellent pass from Parejo, but his volley smashes into the side netting. The hosts are looking strong for a third goal as we enter the final 20 minutes.
Just a reminder that as it stands, Valencia are moving level on points with third-place Atletico Madrid, who travel to Sevilla later this evening. The top four race is shaping up very nicely indeed!
This afternoon's attendance is little under 50,000 and the majority inside the stadium are pleased with what they have seen thus far. Valencia continue to threaten a third as Rodrigo drives down the left, but Inigo Martinez is across to make the challenge. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining here.
BOOKING! Yuri (Sociedad) is booked for a late challenge on Rodrigo.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Rodrigo to score a third for the home side as Negredo delivers a super cross towards his fellow forward, but somehow Rodrigo fires wide of the post.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments following a couple of late challenges, In truth, Sociedad are struggling to keep possession as it stands.
SUB! Sociedad make their third change as Yuri is replaced by Finnbogason.
Finnbogason comes close to making an immediate impact for the away side, but his flicked header is deflected behind for a corner, which is also cleared at the near post. Still 2-0 Valencia here.
SUB! Valencia make their third change as Piatti is replaced by De Paul.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, with Sociedad enjoying possession without really threatening to make the breakthrough. In truth, the visitors have been second best at the Mestalla and simply have not offered enough in the final third of the field.
Just a reminder that later this evening I shall be covering Sevilla against Atletico Madrid and then Real Madrid against Villarreal - be sure to join me from 5.30pm for those two absolute crackers.
Half-chance for the away side as Agirretxe meets a cross from the left, but his header was always moving high of the crossbar. That has been the story of the match for Sociedad.
BOOKING! De Paul (Valencia) is booked for a late challenge on Ansotegi.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the Mestalla.
Negredo takes one full in the face from Inigo Martinez, but the Spaniard is made of the right stuff and rises to his feet. Little over one minute of football remaining at the Mestalla here.
De Paul has been nice and bright for the home side since entering, but the winger cannot force a cross into the box following a bright run. That should be just about that for this one.
FULL-TIME: Valencia 2-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Valencia running out 2-0 winners. The result has moved Los Che level on points with third-place Atletico, while Sociedad remain in the bottom half of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
