Madrid - Valencia regained top spot in the Spanish Liga on Sunday with a 4-2 come-from-behind defeat of Deportivo Coruna. Once again, Valencia's hero was Euro 2008 top scorer David Villa, who netted twice and is now league top marksman with six.
The impressive win leaves Unai Emery's team level on 13 points with Villarreal - who beat bottom team Sporting Gijon on Saturday - but with a superior goal difference.
Valencia had to show their character and dig deep into their resources, because they fell behind after just 12 minutes, when Emiliano Moretti clumsily turned a Pablo Alvarez centre into his own goal.
The promising Juan Mata levelled for the hosts in the 35th minute by heading in a perfect centre from Joaquin Sanchez, one of several Valencia players who have rediscovered their form this season.
Villa made it 2-1 five minutes into the second half with a handsome solo goal. In the 69th minute Villa set up Joaquin for the third goal, 13 minutes later Mata set up Villa to complete the rout.
Angel Lafita scored a controversial consolation goal for Deportivo at the end, but it was too little too late to spoil the fiesta in Mestalla.
"We were really good tonight," said Joaquin, "and we should really have scored more goals."
Valencia and Villarreal are just one point ahead of defending champions Real Madrid, who scored a late 2-1 win away to lowly Betis on Saturday.
Barcelona and Almeria share fourth place, with 10 points apiece.
Barca scored a late win of their own on Saturday, 2-1 against crosstown rivals Espanyol.
Almeria also left it late, beating defensive Recreativo Huelva 1-0 with an Alvaro Negredo goal five minutes into injury time.
"We just about deserved this," said Negredo, "because we never stopped looking for a goal, whilst they seemed happy with a draw."
Just below Almeria and Barca, on nine points, are Atletico Madrid, who face Sevilla in Sunday's late game.
Sevilla are presently seventh on eight points, level with Getafe and Mallorca.
Getafe won 1-0 away to Athletic Bilbao thanks to a late strike from veteran Francisco Casquero.
Mallorca, for their part, won 2-1 up in Santander on an 85th minute goal from Pierre Webo.
Ivan Marcano had given Santander an early lead, only for Fernando Varela to level for Mallorca just before half-time.
Malaga, meanwhile, were scoring their first win, 2-1 over Valladolid.
Sunday's other early game was a colourless 0-0 draw between Numancia and Osasuna.
Gijon stay bottom with zero points, then come Santander and Betis on two.
Malaga, Huelva, Numancia and Osasuna all have four points.
