Madrid - Valencia cruised up to third in the Spanish Liga on Sunday with a 3-1 home win over defensively feeble Zaragoza. Spanish internationals Juan Mata, David Villa and Pablo Hernandez scored the first-half goals which gave Valencia a comfortable win.
"This is our third consecutive win," said Pablo, "which shows that we are improving as a team."
Zaragoza coach Marcelino Garcia had his defence too far forward, which allowed Valencia to hit balls over the top and take advantage of the speed of Mata, Villa and Pablo.
In the 17th minute Mata made it 1-0 with a deft finish, despite a suspicion of offside.
Five minutes before half-time Pablo latched on to a long ball and centred for Villa - league top scorer with eight goals - to make it 2-0. And two minutes later Villa returned the complement, setting up Pablo for the third.
Valencia eased up in the second half and the promising Abel Aguilar pulled a goal back for Zaragoza, but the visitors never seemed capable of saving the day.
Villa and company now have 21 points and are two ahead of fourth-placed Sevilla, who are at homed to Villarreal in Sunday's late match.
Earlier on Sunday, Sporting Gijon, Athletic Bilbao and Almeria all chalked up important wins.
Gijon moved up to seventh with a 1-0 home win over Espanyol. The only goal was scored by Mate Bilic after just four minutes, after being set up by Diego Castro.
In eighth place, level on 16 points with Gijon, are Bilbao, who won 2-0 away to Racing Santander on goals from Carlos Gurpegi and Andoni Iraola.
Almeria, meanwhile, were beating Osasuna 2-0, thanks to an own goal from Osasuna defender Josetxo and a late strike from Kalu Uche.
Sunday's other early game was a colourless 0-0 draw between Valladolid and Xerez.
These results leave Malaga bottom with just five points. Then come Xerez on six, and Atletico Madrid and Santander on seven.
On Saturday Atletico lost 3-2 at home to crosstown rivals Real Madrid, who are now just one point behind leaders Barcelona, who thrashed Mallorca 4-2 on Saturday.
