Valencia prove their worth

Valencia CF proved their credentials in the Liga BBVA by beating Atlético Madrid 3-1 thanks to a great first half in the Mestalla. Nuno Espírito's men outplayed the defending champions of the competition and showed that they are ready to compete for the places at the top of the table.

Valencia played like a force of nature in a first half in which Atlético were unrecognisable. The home side found the net three times in the first 13 minutes to all but seal the win. João Miranda, in his own net, André Gomes and Nicolás Otamendi were the goal-scorers, the latter finding space in the box on a corner.

The Rojiblancos struggled to get into the match, but they gradually began to create danger and eventually cut the deficit through Mario Mandžukić, who found the back of the net after a great stop from Diego Alves. The Brazilian keeper starred again on the verge of half time, when he stopped a Guilherme Siqueira penalty that could have changed the course of the match.

The tempo of the game dropped after the break and there were plenty of loose balls in the centre of the pitch. Diego Pablo Simeone brought on Alessio Cerci and Raúl Jiménez in an attempt to turn things round, but neither was able to help the team. The result leaves the Valencians at the top of the table awaiting the result of FC Barcelona against Rayo Vallecano.