Piatti, Parejo and Alcácer keep blanquinegros in a privileged position in La Liga table

Valencia CF continued their good start to the La Liga season and remained undefeated after beating Espanyol 3-1 at Mestalla, in a match in which they demonstrated impressive offensive solvency and some devastating attacks. The scorers from the previous game added to their accounts again (Piatti, Parejo and Alcácer) and VCF end Matchday 3 near the top of the league table.



Manager Nuno Espírito Santo welcomed back Rodrigo from injury, and the striker showed that he was fully fit with a stellar solo move early on, ending with a pass to Pablo Piatti for the Argentine to convert. Valencia CF had struck first in an electric start to the game, going 1-0 up almost immediately. It took just six minutes for Piatti to break the deadlock.



Rodrigo was the protagonist again on 21 minutes, backheeling for Alcácer to play the new Spanish international in. Alcácer's shot was parried away by Kiko Casilla in the Espanyol goal, who needed to produce something spectacular to keep the ball out.



Espanyol, meanwhile, offered up hardly anything of note -and, when they did, they came up against a roadblock in the form of Javi Fuego and his strong shielding play in front of the defence.



In the closing stages of the first half on a hot afternoon in Valencia, with the fans again out in force and spurring on their side, VCF tried to hold the ball, npot take risks and only react when a clear opportunity presented itself. It is particular style that Nuno has been transmitting to his squad. The players would wait for the most opportune moment to devastate their opposition, and Rodrigo is the master of carrying out the plan.



After the break, Valencia CF looked to consolidate their lead with the same conviction as in the first half. Well protected and safe at the back, they used sporadic attacks to threaten Espanyol -who also took few risks despite being behind on the scoresheet. The visitors were waiting on moments of genius of Sergio Garcia, their best player in attack.



Valencia CF took action to extend the lead and, on 57 minutes, Rodrigo could have bagged the second of the afternoon. Casilla was again called into action to send his effort out for a corner. The '17' had taken advantage of a pass from Alcácer and deserved a better reward. The second goal instead went to Dani Parejo for VCF, as the ball broke to the captain and with astonishing ease he put the ball under Casilla to make it 2-0.



Paco Alcácer could not let the game go by without getting on the scoresheet, and as Espanyol pushed forward he hit them on the counter. Feghouli broke into the box with conviction, the ball came bouncing back to Alcácer and he rounded Casilla for the finish. All three goalscorers from the last game against Málaga had got off the mark, in an interesting coincidence.



Espanyol would get a consolation goal through Sergio Garcia's penalty, but with two wins and a draw to their name, Valencia CF remain in the upper echelons of the La Liga table. The result and performance give further reason for the fans to be very excited about this team and this season.



Spanish Primera División

Mestalla, Valencia



Valencia CF 3 vs. 0 RCD Espanyol



Valencia CF: Diego Alves, Barragán, Vezo, Otamendi, Gayà, Javi Fuego, Andre Gomes, Parejo, Piatti (Carles Gil, m. 82), Rodrigo (Feghouli, m. 67) and Alcácer (Roberto, m. 87).



RCD Espanyol: K. Casilla, Javi López, Álvaro, Colotto, Arbilla, Abraham (Lucas V., m. 46), Víctor S. (J. A. Cañas, m. 78), Stuani (Caicedo, m. 65), Salva Sevilla, Montañés and Sergio García.



Goals: 1-0. M. 6: Piatti. 2-0. M. 62: Parejo. 3-0. M. 69: Alcácer. 3-1. M. 90: Sergio García.



Referee: Clos Gómez. Yellow cards for Barragán (Valencia CF) and Álvaro (RCD Espanyol). Clos Gómez. Yellow cards for Barragán (Valencia CF) and Álvaro (RCD Espanyol).