Mitch Freeley

Valencia has secured an eighth straight La Liga win to keep the pressure on league leaders Barcelona following a 2-0 victory over Espanyol on Sunday evening.

Espanyol had the better of the opening exchanges in the first half and could of perhaps open the scoring had Sergi Darder’s shot not clipped the woodwork.

Valencia rallied and opened the scoring in the second half courtesy of a stunning 25-yard effort from French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia.

Seven minutes from time, Santi Mina pounced on a defensive error to slot in the second of the match and seal the points for Marcelino’s side. Valencia is set to take on league leaders Barcelona next week in a top of the table La Liga clash.

Elsewhere in La Liga and Malaga came from a goal behind to register a 3-2 win over Deportivo de La Coruña. Uruguayan midfielder Gonzalo Castro and striker Borja Bastón scored the crucial goals for Malaga. The victory puts the side just one point away from safety. 

Levante picked up their first win in six La Liga matches with a 2-0 away victory over Las Palmas. Levante took the lead through the head of Ivorian defender Cheick Doukouré in the seventieth  minute. Just eight minutes later, midfielder Jason doubled Levante's lead with a well-taken goal.