Morientes on fire
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Valencia kicked off the Spanish season with a 2-1 win over Real Betis at the Mestalla last night.
During a rather slow paced placed first-half, the game suddenly burst into life when Fernando Morientes smashed home a powerful drive on 33 minutes after a clever pass from Edu found the Valencia striker just inside the area.
Los Ches continued to dominate the closing stages of the opening period but were unable to extend their advantage.
Valencia adopted a relaxed approach after the break but this would come back to haunt them, for nine minutes at least, when Betis stunned them with an equaliser from absolutely nothing.
On 53 minutes a cross from Enrique Romero way out on the left found Munoz Xisco in space and his perfectly placed header found the top corner of the net to silence the home crowd.
Parity did not last long and when a poorly delivered corner from Valencia was only partially cleared, the ball fell for Raul Albiol who firmly struck his half-volley into the corner of the net.
After that Valencia significantly grew in confidence and poured forward at every opportunity looking for a third, but some fantastic saves from Toni Doblas - most notably from a second-half David Villa strike - kept them at bay.
As the game neared it's conclusion, Betis pushed for another equaliser but they couldn't create any noteworthy chances as Valencia held out for a well deserved three points.
During a rather slow paced placed first-half, the game suddenly burst into life when Fernando Morientes smashed home a powerful drive on 33 minutes after a clever pass from Edu found the Valencia striker just inside the area.
Los Ches continued to dominate the closing stages of the opening period but were unable to extend their advantage.
Valencia adopted a relaxed approach after the break but this would come back to haunt them, for nine minutes at least, when Betis stunned them with an equaliser from absolutely nothing.
On 53 minutes a cross from Enrique Romero way out on the left found Munoz Xisco in space and his perfectly placed header found the top corner of the net to silence the home crowd.
Parity did not last long and when a poorly delivered corner from Valencia was only partially cleared, the ball fell for Raul Albiol who firmly struck his half-volley into the corner of the net.
After that Valencia significantly grew in confidence and poured forward at every opportunity looking for a third, but some fantastic saves from Toni Doblas - most notably from a second-half David Villa strike - kept them at bay.
As the game neared it's conclusion, Betis pushed for another equaliser but they couldn't create any noteworthy chances as Valencia held out for a well deserved three points.
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