Valencia 4 - Espanyol 0

Valencia: Cañizares; Miguel, Ayala, Raúl Albiol, Carboni; Albelda (Edu 74'), Baraja; Angulo, Regueiro, Fabio Aurelio (Mista 67'); David Villa (Jorge López 78'). 4-2-3-1.
Espanyol: Gorka Iraizoz; Zabaleta, Sergio Sánchez, Pochettino, David García; Edu Costa, Moisés Hurtado; Corominas, De la Peña (Ito 73'), Luis García (Juanfran 62'); Tamudo (Pandiani 73'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Valencia: Carboni, Fabio Aurelio for Moretti, Aimar / Espanyol: Pochettino, Moisés Hurtado, Tamudo for Jarque, Lopo, Juanfran.

Goals:
1-0. 39. David Villa (penalty). After Moisés pulled down Villa himself inside area.
2-0. 66. Ayala. Came from behind to head Villa free kick past Gorka on far post.
3-0. 70. Mista. Stooped to steer header past keeper from Angulo cross.
4-0. 86. Baraja. Volley inside area after Angulo headed back Mista corner.

True to tradition, Valencia applauded cup winners Espanyol on to the pitch before their game on Sunday night, but that was the only concession they gave them as they went on to consolidate second spot with a 4-0 victory. Quique Flores's side move two points clear of Real Madrid as a result, with their opponents once again brought down to Earth following their victory over Zaragoza midweek.

The visitors held their own early on, but with six minutes to go to the break Carboni (who had jus celebrated his 41st birthday) sent David Villa away. Moisés pulled him back as he advanced in to the area, and referee González Vázquez had no doubts awarding a penalty which Villa himself converted.

Both keepers were in action after the restart, Cañizares saving from Zabaleta and Gorka tipping an effort from Regueiro over the top. But with just over an hour on the clock Edu Costa picked up a second yellow card, and the locals took advantage to score twice in the next ten minutes with headed goals from Ayala and Mista, the former signalling his return after a long injury lay off and the latter getting his name on the scoresheet for the first time in almost a year.

After that it was all over, and Baraja wrapped things up with an impressive volley near the end after Angulo headed back Mista's corner. Espanyol were back in the real world, and after six league games without a win they find themselves just a point above the drop zone. Valencia are hoping for the second automatic Champions League spot, but right now they were happy for the win which the players dedicated to Pablo Aimar, who is recovering in hospital from a mild case of meningitis.