Valencia stay top

Valencia produced a majestic first half display but only managed a goal from Aritz Aduriz, however Vicente's late strike sealed the match before Igor Gabilondo nicked a goal in stoppage time but it was not enough for the visitors.

Valencia took the game by the scruff of the neck from the kick off, pinning back their opponents who could barely get a touch of the ball as Mehmet Topal and Manuel Fernandes took control of the midfield early on.

The dominance Los Che showed paid dividends early on as Aritz Aduriz put the hosts in front after eleven minutes from a close range header, but it was the build up that really excited the fans, with Pablo Hernández playing a delightful back heel pass into the path of the oncoming Roberto Soldado who burst into the box shrugging off an Athletic defender in the process before sending the ball across for the Valencia number 11 to finish.

Even before the goal Hernández had a good shout for a penalty turned down by the referee.

Los Che's onslaught was never-ending as Juan Mata, Aduriz abd Topal all having shots that were close to bursting the net, but the home team had most joy down the flanks with the full-backs more than happy to bomb forward, Jérémy Mathieu in particular impressing on the left.

In response, Los Leones could only manage brief excursions into Valencia's half and even then they did not hold onto the ball for long as Unai Emery's side were displaying an impressive desire to win the ball back.

After the break, Athletic made somewhat more of an impact with half time substitute Markel Susaeta the catalyst.

Valencia though were still creating the more incisive chances and Soldado also had a goal ruled out for offside, rightly so as the striker has just strayed off when Mata played the ball.

But as the second period wore on Athletic were becoming more dominant as they searched for an equaliser, Susaeta had a shot blocked by the back of Ricardo Costa, but despite a much improved display in the second period they could not find an equaliser and Vicente sealed the result for Valencia with a stoppage time goal on the counter-attack.

Less then a minute later Igor Gabilondo grabbed a consolation from a freekick to give the Basque outfit a lifeline but it came too late.

Following the victory Valencia have extended their lead at the top of La Liga to four points though Barcelona and Villarreal have yet to play, while Athletic Bilbao remain in ninth, though they are likely to slide down the table once all the weekends fixtures have been played.
 

Source: goal.com