Valencia strike five in derby stroll
Sunday, April 10, 2011
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Valencia CF secured a superb 5-0 derby win against Villarreal CF to move six points clear of their neighbours in third place while Club Atlético de Madrid boosted their hopes of a European return.
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Valencia CF strengthened their hold on third place in the Liga with a 5-0 derby win against Villarreal CF.
The victory stretched Valencia's advantage over Villarreal to six points in the race to join FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF in securing guaranteed UEFA Champions League group places for next season. Miguel sent Roberto Soldado clear to give Valencia a 14th-minute lead and brilliant goals early in the second half by Juan Mata and Éver Banega made it three. Mata and Soldado struck again in the last 17 minutes.
Club Atlético de Madrid moved into seventh and a UEFA Europa League qualifying place with a convincing 3-0 defeat of Real Sociedad de Fútbol. That took Atlético a point ahead of next Sunday's opponents RCD Espanyol, held 0-0 by lowly Hércules CF.
Hércules and Málaga CF – who drew 0-0 against RC Deportivo La Coruña – are now four points ahead of bottom side UD Almería, beaten on Saturday by leaders Barcelona, and level with Real Zaragoza, who on Monday welcome Getafe CF, themselves only four points above the relegation zone. Deportivo, Sociedad and CA Osasuna, defeated 1-0 by Real Sporting de Gijón, are all one further point clear.
