Valencia 3 - Murcia 0

Valencia: Hildebrand; Miguel, Marchena, Iván Helguera, Caneira; Angulo, Albelda, Baraja, David Silva (Arizmendi 73'); Morientes (Vicente 61'), David Villa (Zigic 79'). 4-4-2.

Murcia: Notario; Mejía (Abel 61'), César Arzo, Ochoa, Peña; De Lucas, Pablo García, Movilla, Regueiro (Jofre 58'); Goitom, Iván Alonso (Iñigo 58'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Valencia: Miguel, Marchena, Baraja, Angulo, David Villa for Alexis, Moretti, Manuel Fernandes, Joaquín, Vicente / Murcia: Ochoa, Peña, De Lucas, Movilla, Goitom, Iván Alonso for Pignol, Marañón, Gallardo, Richi, Iñigo, Baiano.

Goals:
1-0. 11. Iván Helguera. Got on the end of Silva free kick to head past Notario.
2-0. 26. David Villa. After Albelda won ball off Pablo García and put him through.
3-0. 50. David Villa. Turned ball past keeper after Albelda and Silva passing move.

Valencia moved up to fourth spot, level on points with Barcelona and also Villarreal (pending their Sunday game) after beating Murcia 3-0 on Saturday evening. The Chés put an end to a run of four defeats in a row in the Mestalla stadium, with Iván Helguera setting them on their way when he headed home David Silva's free kick in the eleventh minute. And David Villa got a second a quarter of an hour later after Albelda won the ball in midfield off Pablo García and put him through, the striker's first goal since returning from injury.

Lucas Alcaraz's side finally put Hildebrand to the test with an effort from Regueiro before the break, and De Lucas had a shot deflected wide soon after the restart. But five minutes in to the second half Villa wrapped things up with his second of the night after Silva played across a long pass from Albelda, and Angulo could have got a fourth when he headed wide soon afterwards.

Iñigo hit the side netting and Hildebrand saved well from Regueiro's free kick later on, but it was left to Notario to make the save of the night from Baraja's free kick near the end. A good win for Valencia though, and new coach Ronald Koeman has his first win after the disastrous result against Rosenborg on his debut midweek.