Valencia CF kept up an impressive unbeaten run with a win over Elche on Matchday 28 of La Liga, maintaining third place in the process. Away at the Martinez Valero, Nuno Espírito Santo’s men rounded off Fallas week with some fireworks of their own, taking a comprehensive 0-4 victory over their regional rivals.

With the support of thousands of Valencianistas who had made the trip to cheer on their team, the away side started out with a great opportunity to open the scoring; just two minutes in, Nicolás Otamendi poked a shot wide from beside the penalty spot.

Whilst possession remained even, VCF were the more threatening side on the ball. On nine minutes they would enjoy their second chance to score, born from a defensive error which allowed Pablo Piatti to steal the ball. He played a pass to Paco Alcácer, who rounded the goalkeeper but had his shot from the left cleared by Lombán.

Twice Alcácer would have goals ruled out for offside: On 15 and 30 minutes in. Sandwiching the striker’s annulled goals was an effort from Sofiane Feghouli on the half-volley, which was just centimetres wide of the right post.

Valencia CF had settled in, with Diego Alves having next to nothing to do in the first period. The team still needed a goal, however –and that is where André Gomes came in. Jose Luis Gayà made a run down the left, sent over a looping cross which almost went in at the back post, Feghouli kept it in play and opposition goalkeeper Tyton pushed the ball into the path of the Portuguese. Gomes turned the ball in to open the scoring, with his fourth goal of the campaign in La Liga. VCF were 0-1 up, just before the break.

In the second half Elche stretched their lines in order to offer up more of an offensive, but Valencia CF kept the ball and controlled play. Eleven minutes after the restart their advantage was extended, as a great exchange of passes between Feghouli, Gomes and Alcácer ended with the latter pushing the ball in from point-blank range. This time his goal would stand, and VCF would go 0-2 ahead.

The second goal allowed for added tranquility, and Nuno made changes soon after. Álvaro Negredo was brought on to replace Alcácer (both were at less than 100% fitness due to knee sprains) and creates a pair of dangerous moves. One was so dangerous, in fact, that his checked run convinced Elche defender Enzo Roco to slide in for a Feghouli pass –turning it into his own net.

Late on, Nuno gave Academy product Tropi his La Liga debut. His energy in injury time led indirectly to a Valencia CF corner and, with almost the final touch of the game, Otamendi rose highest to meet the delivery into the box and headed home. That rounded off the rout and took the final score to 0-4.

Spanish Primera División

Estadio Martinez Valero, Elche

Elche CF 0 vs. 4 Valencia CF

Elche CF: Tyton, Damián, Roco, Lombán, Cisma, Adrián (Mosquera, min. 76), Rodrigues (Coro, min. 74), Víctor Rodríguez, Fayçal Fajr, Jonathas and Pasalic (Cristian Herrera, min. 58)

Valencia CF: Alves, Mustafi, Feghouli (Cancelo, min. 83), Alcácer (Negredo, min. 67), Parejo (Tropi, min 89), Piatti, Fuego, Barragán, André Gomes, Otamendi and Gayà.

Goals: 0-1 Min. 43 André Gomés 0-2 Min. 56 Alcácer 0-3 Min. 70 Roco (p.p), Min. 92 Otamendi

Referee: Fernández Borbalán. Yellow card for Damián (Elche CF).