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Alvaro Negredo was recalled to the starting line-up and scored a hat-trick

Alvaro Negredo scored a hat-trick as Gary Neville's Valencia thrashed Granada in the Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg.

The ex-Manchester City striker dispossessed a defender before firing them into an early lead and Rodrigo tapped their second into an empty net.

Negredo put Valencia in control of the tie with two second-half penalties.

The 30-year-old, who had appendicitis this season, had scored three goals in his previous 15 games this campaign.

Both goalscorers started for the cup tie, having come on as substitutes in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Real Madrid, Rafael Benitez's last game in charge.

Wednesday's victory was Neville's second as Valencia boss, having beaten Barakaldo 2-0 in the last round.

The second leg of their tie with La Liga strugglers Granada is on Thursday, 14 January.

Earlier on Wednesday, second tier Mirandes drew 1-1 with Deportivo La Coruna in their first leg.

Athletic Bilbao, who lost last year's final to Barcelona, beat Villarreal 3-2.