First Division - Day 23

Betis 1 - Valencia 0

Betis: Adán; Montoya, Bruno, Pezzella, Vargas; Musonda, Petros, N’Diaye, Dani Ceballos (Portillo 84‘); Van Wolfswinkel (Jorge Molina 73‘), Rubén Castro (Digard 90‘). 4-4-2.
Valencia: Mat Ryan; Barragán, Mustafi, Abdennour, Siqueira (Gayà 43‘); Dani Parejo, Zahibo (Santi Mina 75‘); Feghouli ((Rodrigo 59‘), André Gomes, Cheryshev; Negredo. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 49. Rubén Castro. Connected with Van Wolfwinkel pass to shoot past Ryan.

Yellow cards: Pezzella 10’, Mustafi 21’, André Gomes 26’, Cheryshev 28’, Feghouli 34’, Zahibo 58’, Gayà 61’, 84’, Dani Ceballos 69’, Adán 73’, Montoya 76’ / red cards: Gayà 85’.

Valencia’s poor form continues for another week, the Ches now having gone twelve league games without a win after a 1-0 defeat at Betis. Coach Gary Neville was under pressure to get a result, especially after the 7-0 drubbing in the Nou Camp midweek, and André Gomes and Negredo both failed to convert chances before the break. Mat Ryan had to save from Ricky Van Wolfwinkel though, and just four minutes in to the second half the Dutch striker passed across for Rubén Castro to open the scoring. Vargas cleared off the line from Negredo a few minutes later, Rodrigo fired a shot wide, and Mustafi had a headed goal ruled out for a borderline offside, but after Gayà picked up two bookings it was all over. The win takes the Andalusians level with their opponents in the table, both now just four points above the relegation spots.