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Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain), Jan 6 (IANS) Deportivo Alavés came from behind to beat visiting Valencia 2-1 in a La Liga tie held at the Mendizorroza Stadium here.
Alaves was more solid and accurate, managing to weather the early lead for Valencia created by midfielder Dani Parejo and securing the three points thanks to goals netted by striker Borja Baston and midfielder Tomas Pina on Saturday, reports Efe.
With this win, Alaves provisionally moved into the fourth spot in the La Liga standings with 31 points, while Valencia remained in 11th place with 22 points.
At the beginning, Valencia was the first to try and penetrate its rival's defense but Rodrigo's try did not pose much danger to the hosts' net.
At minute 14, Parejo got Valencia on the scoreboard on a well-executed free-kick while Alaves keeper Fernando Pacheco just watched the ball get by him into the net.
The hosts, however, reacted immediately drawing level seven minutes later on a corner kick, as Valencia's defense tried to clear the ball without success.
Alaves's Chilean defender Guillermo Maripan found the ball and shot it from a close range, with the ball deflecting off Baston and heading home for the equalizer.
Alaves coach Abelardo Fernandez then swapped his wingers - Jony Rodriguez and Ibai Gomez - and the team started to dominate more the play against Valencia, who seemed lost and lacking alternatives.
During first-half injury time, Rodrigo almost regained the lead for Valencia but his effort went wide, while Pina made the most of a series of defensive errors by the visitors to score Alaves' 2-1 winner on a close-range shot.
After the break, Valencia's Brazilian net-minder Neto shone with remarkable saves, denying more than one scoring chance for Alaves.
Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia Toral inserted his young winger Ferran Torres and Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi, trying to get back in the game, and the moves affected the team's play positively.
The visiting side, however, was not able to penetrate the solid Alaves defense or to find the hosts' net again before the final whistle.
--IANS
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