Valencia 1 - Racing Santander 2

Valencia: Hildebrand; Caneira (Miguel 61'), Raúl Albiol, Alexis, Moretti; Baraja (Arizmendi 84'), Marchena, Edu (David Villa 61'); Joaquín, Morientes, David Silva. 4-3-3.
Racing: Toño; Pinillos, Moratón, Oriol (César Navas 78'), Ayoze; Jorge López (Pablo Alvarez 60'), Duscher, Colsa, Oscar Serrano; Tchité, Munitis (Smolarek 68'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Valencia: Caneira, Alexis, Edu for Miguel, Banega, Mata / Racing: Moratón for César Navas.

Goals:
0-1. 60. Colsa. At second attempt after keeper saved header from Serrano cross.
1-1. 64. David Villa (penalty). After Duscher brought down Morientes in area.
1-2. 83. Tchité. Got on the end of Pablo Alvarez cross to turn ball past Hildebrand.

Racing Santander kept up their push for a Champions League spot with a 1-2 victory at Valencia on Saturday evening, and they move level with fourth placed Atlético pending their game on Sunday. The Cantabrians had the better of the first half, with Munitis going close and Tchité shooting wide a couple of times. And with an hour on the clock they took the lead, Colsa beating Hildebrand at the second attempt after the keeper had blocked his first header.

Ronald Koeman had been reserving players for the midweek cup final against Getafe, but he threw on David Villa and Miguel after the goal. And within three minutes Villa had his name on the scoresheet, the striker converting a penalty after Duscher brought down Morientes in the area. That seemed to inspire Valencia, Morientes hitting the woodwork twice and Silva firing an acrobatic shot over the top. But with seven minutes to go Tchité got on the end of a Pablo Alvarez to turn the ball in on the far post, referee Ramirez Domínguez waving away appeals for offside.

It was too much for the frustrated home fans, and there were serious protests from the stands at the final whistle. Valencia are now only four points above the drop zone pending Sunday's games, and there are rumours that Koeman could be out even before Wednesday's cup final.