Valencia suffer setback, Elche stifle La Real

Valencia CF surrendered the lead as they succumbed 3-1 to RCD Espanyol, while Real Sociedad de Fútbol needed a Carlos Vela goal to rescue them at promoted Elche FC.

Hélder Postiga (10) opened his Valencia account with a low drive, but that was as good as it got for Los Che. David López's thumping header levelled matters before half-time and Christian Stuani powered in one of his own to give Espanyol the lead shortly after the break. 

Thievy Bifouma's top-corner finish proved the nail in Valencia's coffin late on after Manuel Lanzarote had shown dazzling skill to carve out the opportunity.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, will host Olympique Lyonnais next week in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie on the back of a 1-1 draw with Elche.

Elche, who on Monday began their first Liga campaign since 1988/89 with a  3-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, took the lead after 78 seconds when Coro bundled in a loose ball from a corner. Vela, however, salvaged a point for the visitors 16 minutes from time, turning in Xabi Prieto's right-wing cross.

Sociedad are poised to return to the group stage of Europe's top club competition following their 2-0 first-leg defeat of Lyon. Villarreal CF take on Real Valladolid CF in Saturday's late fixture.