Deportivo claim first silverware

RC Deportivo La Coruña claimed the first trophy of the new Spanish season after a last-minute goal from Víctor Sánchez gave them a 1-0 win over ten-man Valencia CF in the second leg of the Super Cup on Sunday.

Deft chip
The midfield player added a rare touch of class in an ill-tempered game when he produced a deft chip over goalkeeper José Cañizares in injury time to seal a deserved 4-0 aggregate win for last season's Copa del Rey winners.

Red card
Deportivo, who brushed Valencia aside with a 3-0 win in the first leg, were posed few problems at the Mestalla by the reigning league champions, who were reduced to ten men when Roberto Ayala was sent off after only two minutes. The Argentinian international was dismissed when he was adjudged him to have elbowed Deportivo striker Roy Makaay as the pair challenged for the ball in the centre of the pitch.

Makaay chance
Makaay nearly dealt a double blow to the home side when he beat the offside trap to latch on to a neat through-ball from Juan Valerón, but Cañizares stood his ground well and blocked the Dutchman's shot. Deportivo went close again when Fran González sent a well-worked free-kick whizzing past the post on eleven minutes, but despite their numerical advantage the Galician side then surrendered the initiative to Valencia.

Sharp saves
Young Spanish international winger Vicente Rodríguez twice went close with long range efforts and centre forward Salva Ballesta worked tirelessly, but they were unable to break down the well-organised Deportivo defence. Deportivo, who were content to play on the break, had the clearest scoring chances but Cañizares produced several sharp saves to stop Víctor and Makaay.