Racing Santander lose 2-0 to Valencia

Valencia:

Reigning champions Valencia continued their impressive start to Spain's La Liga season with an emphatic 2-0 victory over Racing Santander. Valencia's fourth win in five games put them level at the top of the table on 13 points alongside Barcelona who won 3-1 at Real Mallorca. Valencia went ahead through a deflected free kick by Vicente in the 26th minute and Stefano Fiore added a second in first half stoppage time. Racing Santander were reduced to ten men in the second half after Oriol was sent off just before the interval. Valencia dominated throughout at the Mestalla, but they needed a stroke of luck to take the lead in the 26th minute. Vicente's free kick took a deflection off the wall, wrong-footed keeper Dudu Aouate and ended up in the back of the net.

Major setback The visitors suffered a major setback a minute before half-time when Oriol was sent off after picking up a second yellow card. The referee reached for the red after the defender clattered into the back of Miguel Angel Angulo. Valencia took immediate advantage in stoppage time. Italian Stefano Fiore rifled home from five metres after Vicente cut the ball back from the by-line. Racing Santander were toothless throughout and their first effort on goal came in the 77th minute and then it was nothing more than a speculative long range effort from David Aganzo. (AP)