Two goals in each half gave Valencia a 4-0 win over relegation-threatened Granada in the Spanish league on Monday. Granada had managed to slow the host’s pace in the first half until Javier Fuego rose to head in from a corner in the 26th minute. Antonio Barragan earned a penalty for Valencia when he kicked the ball between Diego Mainz legs and was then obstructed by the Granada defender in the 38th. Daniel Parejo converted the penalty.
Valencia kept attacking and Algeria midfielder Sofiane Feghouli fired in a hard shot in the 85th after an assist from Alvaro Negredo. Negredo headed the fourth inside the far post in the 88th. Granada is second to last, six points from safety, while Valencia is in fourth place, two points ahead of Sevilla.
Valencia increased the pressure on goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez after the first goal, forcing him to make a series of saves, although Granada could have equalized from a corner in the 36th. Granada defender Emanuel Insua was taken off on a stretcher in the 54th after twisting his right ankle badly while making a left-footed clearance.
Real press for Barca slip up
Madrid: With the Spanish league season nearing its end, Real Madrid can only wait for Barcelona to falter. Barcelona leads the league by two points, and is also in the Copa del Rey final. Both Madrid and Barcelona are in the Champions league semi-finals.However, Madrid has tough matches at Sevilla and Valencia to come, while Barcelona’s toughest challenge will be at Atletico Madrid.
CHICHARITO’S CHANCE
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez replaced injured Madrid striker Karim Benzema and has rapidly won over fans by scoring the lone goal that knocked Atletico out of the Champions league. He then scored twice against Celta Vigo.
Ancelotti said Hernandez has “suffered” by not being selected often, and praised his persistence. “If Chicharito continues to play like this, he’ll be non-negotiable, like Cristiano (Ronaldo),” Ancelotti said. “But only 11 can play and the rest have to remain on the bench.” If Benzema is fit for Wednesday’s match against 17th-place Almeria — a team fighting to remain above the relegation zone — Ancelotti must chose which striker to deploy.
SIMEONE’S 200
Diego Simeone will celebrate his 200th match as coach of Atletico in Wednesday’s match at Villarreal. Simeone, who has so far steered Atletico to 126 wins and five titles, has been getting help from the in-form attacking partnership of Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic.
BAlE IS BACK
Star forward Gareth Bale, who had been sidelined since he tore a calf muscle in his left leg during Madrid’s 3-1 win over Malaga on April 18, says he is recovering well. “Feeling stronger every day,” said Bale. “Can’t wait to get back and join the lads.” If Bale is declared fit, Ancelotti is likely to use him on the right flank, with Ronaldo patrolling the left and either Benzema or Hernandez in front as the lone striker.