Valencia take charge of Champions League chase

May 04, 2015 | 06:53

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Valencia moved three points clear of Sevilla in the fight for the fourth Champions League place in La Liga with a comfortable 3-1 win over Eibar on Sunday.

Valencia players celebrate after scoring against Eibar during the Spanish league football match at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia. (AFP/JOSE JORDAN)

MADRID: Valencia moved three points clear of Sevilla in the fight for the fourth Champions League place in La Liga with a comfortable 3-1 win over Eibar on Sunday (May 3).

Nicolas Otamendi headed the hosts in front from Jose Gaya's cross midway through the first-half. Captain Dani Parejo then made the points safe for Valencia with a deflected effort just before the hour mark.

Paco Alcacer tapped home the third into an empty net after Xabi Irureta had made a fine save from Parejo's free-kick before Mikel Arruabarrena pulled a goal back for the visitors late on.

Valencia could still catch Atletico Madrid for the final automatic Champions League place in third. Atletico are just four points ahead. However, they face a daunting trip to play Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu next weekend in a game that could also have serious repurcussions in the title race.

A 14th defeat in 16 games leaves Eibar just one point above the relegation zone with three games remaining.

Granada boosted their survivial hopes with a first victory in nine games under new coach Jose Ramon Sandoval thanks to a double from Youssef El-Arabi to win 2-1 at Getafe.

Espanyol and Rayo Vallecano's hopes of claiming the final European place in seventh both suffered a blow earlier on Sunday as they drew 1-1.

AFP

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