Valencia 0 - Almería 1

Valencia: Hildebrand; Arizmendi (Mata 74'), Raúl Albiol, Iván Helguera, Moretti; Maduro, Marchena; Joaquín, David Silva (Miguel 46'), Vicente (Zigic 46'); David Villa. 4-2-3-1.
Almería: Diego Alves; Bruno, Carlos García, Pulido, Cisma; Corona (José Ortíz 63'), Juanito, Felipe Melo; Juanma Ortíz, Negredo (Kalu Uche 68'), Mané (Crusat 71'). 4-3-3.

Team changes: Valencia: Iván Helguera, Maduro for Caneira, Baraja / Almería: Mané, Corona for Soriano, Crusat.

Goals:
0-1. 21. Felipe Melo. Scored at second attempt after first shot blocked.

Valencia's nightmare season continues, and the crowd turned on coach Ronald Koeman after they lost 0-1 to Almería. Since Koeman took over ten games ago they have only picked up six points, and they drop below their opponents into the bottom half of the table, only five points now off the relegation zone.

Felipe Melo got what was to prove the only goal of the match in the twentieth minute, beating Hildebrand at the second attempt after a failed clearance by Arizmendi. The locals tried their best after that, with Diego Alves having to save from Arizmendi, David Villa and Vicente, and Bruno blocking another effort from Silva.

Koeman had to replace Silva and Vicente at the break, both having picked up knocks, but other than a header from half time substitute Zigic and a possible penalty on Maduro they could not make further inroads into a well organized defence. And it could have been worse had Kalu Uche and José Ortíz been able to convert chances late on.

The handkerchiefs were out at the end with cries of "Koeman vete ya", only two or three months after similar chants against Quique Flores. The new coach really needs a good result now in the cup midweek against Atlético if he is to stave off the knives.