A late penalty from Alvaro Negredo handed Valencia a 2-1 first-leg win over Espanyol in their last-16 Copa del Rey tie at the Mestalla Stadium this evening.
The hosts took full advantage of their home labelling as they took the lead in the 11th minute when Jose Gaya finished adroitly having picked up the ball around 15 yards from the Espanyol goal.
The visitors seemed to be kicked into life after the opener and they almost levelled in the 33rd minute through Víctor Alvarez, but he was denied by Valencia stopper Yoel.
Espanyol continued to persevere despite being behind at the break as Christian Stuani found a route back into the tie on the hour, with the striker breaking into the box to tuck neatly past the keeper and bring things level.
The away side almost grabbed a lead when Yoel spilt a cross from Sergio Garcia, although Lucas Vazquez couldn't adjust in time to turn the ball in at the right angle, instead seeing his shot hit the side-netting.
Valencia were presented with the chance to take a one-goal lead into the second leg late on when Pau Sabata was thought to have brought down Garcia, leaving Negredo to step up and seal a win from the spot.
Christopher Dodd
