To pick up their first victory in three matches since La Liga came back from their three-month pandemic COVID-19, Valencia convincingly beat Osasuna 2-0 on Sunday with goals from Goncalo Guedes and Rodrigo.
Valencia forward Rodrigo Moreno looked to have scored early but after a VAR analysis that lasted more than two minutes, the goal was picked off by the technology in Thursday’s 3-0 loss at Real Madrid.
Instead, Guedes put the home side in front of mid-table Osasuna in the 12th minute, and then the Portugal international provided Rodrigo with an assist to double the lead in the 35th.
Valencia remains eighth, but the win breathed life into their hopes of a top-four finish and qualifying for the Champions League, taking them to 46 points, six behind Seville in fourth place.
Making the most of the visiting side Celta Vigo thrashed Alaves 6-0, earlier, to pull clear of the relegation zone, having Martin Aguirregabiria sent off in the first half.
From a corner, Jeison Murillo headed Celta in front after 14 minutes, making amends for spurning a spot-kick in the 0-0 draw at Real Valladolid before their leading scorer Iago Aspas converted a penalty, in midweek.
After Aguirregabiria ‘s dismissal, Celta twisted the knife further, as Rafinha scored twice in two minutes before the break to make it 4-0 ahead of halftime.
In his first match back for Celta, Nolito enjoyed an ideal return, after signing in midweek from Seville with a penalty then laid on a Santi Mina pass to complete the route in the 86th.
Until kick-off, Celta hovered one point above the relegation zone but the victory brought them up to 16th on 30 points, four ahead of 18th-placed Real Mallorca with eight games remaining. Alaves, on 35, is 13th.
