Recreativo Huelva 1 - Valencia 1

Recreativo: Luque; Merino, Loren, Iker Begoña, Pernía; Camacho; Javi García, Viqueira (Cubillo 75'), Mario Bermejo, Oscar Arpón (Benítez 79'); Raúl Molina (Joaozinho 88'). 4-1-4-1.
Valencia: Cañizares; Reveillère, Ayala, Pellegrino (Mista 60'), Carboni; Baraja, Albelda; Rufete (Juan Sánchez 60'), Aimar (Vicente 88'), Fabio Aurelio; Carew. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Recreativo: No change / Valencia: Baraja for Vicente.

Goals:
1-0. 32. Raúl Molina. Took ball on left of area and turned Ayala before scoring.
1-1. 86. Fabio Aurelio. Bent free kick over defensive wall into back of net.

A late goal from a Fabio Aurelio free kick gave Valencia a 1-1 draw at an improving Recreativo Huelva. The home side were full of confidence after their semi-final cup success over Osasuna midweek, and between cup and league they had only lost one of their last nine games. After a tentative first half hour they took the lead when Raúl Molina picked up a ball on the left of the area and left new signing Revellèire sitting on his backside before curling a shot past Cañizares. Up to that point the visitors had had the best chances, with Baraja shooting over and Carew getting the ball in the net but seeing it disallowed for a previous hand ball, and Ayala headed just over the bar before the half time whistle.

Valencia kept up the pressure after the break but did not make much inroad in the well organised defence. Rafa Benítez brought on forwards Mista and Sánchez on the hour mark, but it made little difference, and Recreativo should have gone further ahead when Cañizares got caught when he came out of his area to try and head the ball clear. The home side regained possession and Molina found himself with only Ayala between him and the goal, but he rushed his shot and the Argentine defender blocked the ball with his chest. It was to prove a vital miss, as soon afterwards Fabio Aurelio bent his free kick past Luque for the equaliser. The point kept Valencia in touch with the leaders, but Recreativo must rue their missed chances and are now seven points adrift at the bottom of the table.