Parejo ensures Valencia exact Swansea revenge

A solitary first-half strike from Daniel Parejo made it three away wins from three in UEFA Europa League Group A for Valencia CF, ensuring the Spanish side progress to the knockout phase as group winners.

The midfielder scored in the 20th minute to exact revenge on Swansea City AFC who shocked the Blanquinegros on matchday one with a 3-0 victory in the Estadi de Mestalla. The result means Michael Laudrup's men are still to secure their qualification having failed to win any of their last three matches in the section. They need a point at eliminated FC St Gallen on matchday six to finally see themselves into the round of 32.

The hosts created the early opportunities as Wilfried Bony headed wide twice inside the opening 15 minutes. However, the powerful striker would eventually limp out of the game just before half-time after the Valencia defence had prevented their main group rivals from creating any further clear chances. The visitors settled into the contest and, after Sergio Canales had a tame effort saved by goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel on 16 minutes, they become dominant. Parejo slotted the eventual winner when he latched onto a loose ball from a Canales corner to give the handful of travelling fans a reason to cheer.

Valencia twice came close to doubling their advantage through Andrés Guardado and Sofiane Feghouli in the opening minutes of the second period but neither could provide the finishing touch. Ángel Rangel's header at the back post on 63 minutes failed to lift the home crowd and not even the introduction of former Valencia winger Pablo Hernández could inspire a resurgence for the Welsh club as they suffered their first defeat in the pool.