Valencia frustrated by Villarreal, Gatafe move farther away from relegation
Red-hot Valencia were frustrated in their bid to reclaim third spot back off Atletico Madrid as they were held to a goalless draw by local rivals Villarreal.
Los Che, looking for a seventh win in eight matches, created the better of what few chances were on show at the Mestalla but could not find a way past visiting keeper Sergio Asenjo.
He did well to deny Rodrigo and Paco Alcacer in quick succession midway through the second half before ensuring Valencia substitute Alvaro Negredo did not snatch a late winner for his side either.
The result means Valencia remain in fourth spot and a point behind Atletico, who beat Cordoba on Saturday, while Villarreal stay in sixth.
There was little to separate the two east-coast sides during the first half and it was not until the 70th minute that the supporters were treated to the first decent chance.
That fell Valencia's way but Asenjo did brilliantly to keep out Rodrigo's shot and then save Alcacer's effort straight afterwards.
The introduction of Negredo in place of Alcacer with 12 minutes to go gave Valencia fresh options in attack and the Spain international immediately tried to put his side ahead with a spectacular effort.
He controlled the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal before throwing himself into an acrobatic overhead kick. It would have been one of the goals of the season but Asenjo was well-placed and was able to pluck the ball from under his bar.
A combination of Asenjo and Villarreal captain Mateo Musacchio then denied Negredo as he threatened again 60 seconds later.
The final chance of the match fell to Valencia in the 87th minute when they won a free-kick right on the edge of the area. Skipper Dani Parejo took responsibility but his curling effort just cleared the near top corner and Villarreal were able to hold out for a point.
Getafe 2-1 Deportivo
Getafe moved seven points clear of the relegation zone by beating fellow strugglers Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 at home.
Alexis Ruano and Sergio Escudero both scored their first goals of the season to give Pablo Franco's side a two-goal lead at half-time, but the Galicians produced a much better performance after the break and had several chances to score before substitute Toche pulled a goal back in the 78th minute.
However, Victor Fernandez's side created few further openings and they remain one point above the bottom-three, without a win in seven matches, while Getafe move on to 32 points and edge closer to safety.
Getafe played with more intensity and ambition than the visitors from the off so it was little surprise that they scored first, even if the opening goal did come from their first real attempt and with a touch of fortune.
Depor failed to properly clear a ball into the box and Emiliano Velazquez headed it back into the six-yard box towards Alvaro Vazquez. Deportivo goalkeeper Fabricio came out to claim the ball but could only send it straight to Ruano, who calmly finished into the empty net.
The visitors' only attempt in a sluggish first half was an audacious volley from 25 yards by Luisinho which flew over the bar, and shorty afterwards Getafe doubled their advantage.
Pablo Sarabia displayed excellent control to prevent the ball from going out and then played in Diego Castro, who returned the ball to Sarabia, who in turn rolled it across the box for Escudero to rifle into the top corner with his left boot.
Victor Fernandez knew his side had everything to do in the second half and acted by making a double substitution, bringing on Isaac Cuenca and Ivan Cavaleiro.
It led to a much improved performance from the visitors, who had a penalty turned down when a free-kick appeared to strike Castro's hand, and then Lucas Perez sent a volley high over the bar and later hit the side netting from the edge of the box.
Oriol Riera had the clearest chance to score after he was released by Perez, but he sent his shot inches past the far post.
In the end it was down to Depor's third substitute Toche to pull one back, the veteran striker turning in Cuenca's cross from the left in at the near post.
The visitors had 12 minutes left to find another goal but Getafe held on for the win.
