Valencia welcomed Malaga to the Mestalla on Saturday knowing that three points would have moved them level on points with fourth-placed Real Sociedad.
An incredible five-minute period in the first half brought four goals for Valencia, with Dani Parejo, Sergio Canales and a Roberto Soldado double leaving the home side with a comprehensive lead.
Malaga did have one back before the interval when Julio Baptista bent a free kick into the bottom corner. However, Valencia restored their four-goal advantage courtesy of Ever Banega after 56 minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the Mestalla as Valencia welcome Malaga. Both sides enter the match level on 50 points, with just four points separating the pair from the top four. However, as mentioned, financial issues will prevent Malaga from playing in the Champions League next season regardless of their final position.
Valencia, however, will be intent on securing a spot in the Champions League. They will be able to call upon an impressive home record this season having won 10 of their 16 matches at the Mestalla, but Malaga have taken 22 points on the road this season, the same number as Real Sociedad.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Valencia have enjoyed the best of it with three wins from the last five matches. However, Malaga have won each of the last two on their home patch, 4-0 earlier in the season and 1-0 in the previous campaign. Recent history suggests that we will have a close encounter this evening.
TEAMS:
VALENCIA: Alves; Pereira, Mathieu, Rami, Cissokho; Albelda, Banega, Parejo; Canales, Jonas, Soldado
MALAGA: Caballero; Gamez, Weligton, Demichelis, Eliseu; Joaquin, Iturra, Camacho, Isco; Baptista, Saviola
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Valencia team this evening with Jonas paired with Soldado in attack, while there is also a place for Sergio Canales. Malaga, meanwhile, prefer Javier Saviola to Roque Santa Cruz. Right, the home side get the action underway at the Mestalla.
Bright start from the away side as Eliseu wins a throw down the left after a mazy run, but Rami is on hand to make the clearance. Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is certainly a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be all-important in this type of match.
Valencia force the issue down the left as Jonas combines with Cissokho before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Weligton rises above Soldado to make the clearance. It must be said that the pitch is in sensational condition at this stage of the season. We are all set for a perfect evening of football in Valencia.
Again it's good work from Soldado as the striker collects a pass from Pereira before striking an effort from close range, but the linesman raises his flag. Plenty of suggestions that we will see goals this evening as both sides commit players to each attack. It cannot be underestimated the importance of this match.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side to open the scoring as Canales collects possession outside the box before driving between two defenders, but the Spaniard can only clip his effort wide of the post. Valencia have just started to take control of the possession here.
Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to deal with a number of challenges in each penalty area. Handbags between Soldado and Demichelis moments later, but the referee does not bring out a card. Not too much from the away side as an attacking force thus far.
The referee continues to be called into action as the challenges fly in from both sides. The latest allows Banega the chance to whip a free kick into the Malaga box, it falls to Banega, but the midfielder can only fire high and wide of the crossbar. The home side have looked the more dangerous in the opening 12 minutes of football.
Again Banega tries his luck from close range as he combines with Soldado before striking a effort towards goal, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Not a match for the faint-hearted as the challenges continue to get tastier. Malaga just need a period of possession in this match.
The home side want a penalty as Canales is bundled over in the box by Demichelis, but the referee is not interested. The resulting corner is whipped in towards Soldado, but it just would not drop for the Spaniard. Not too much in terms of chances in the last few minutes.
The stadium is absolutely bouncing at the moment with the home supporters singing their hearts out for their team. It is no surprise that Valencia have been so strong on their own patch this season. Jonas continues to link with Soldado in the final third, but Demichelis & Co. have been solid thus far.
Albelda attempts to force the issue as the Spaniard collects a pass from Pereira before driving into the box, but Weligton is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. Saviola attempts to link with Baptista down the other end moments later, but once more the danger is quelled by Rami.
Soldado and Demichelis continue their personal battle as the Spaniard rises in the box to meet a cross from Jonas, but the referee awards a free kick for a foul on the Argentine, before the pair exchange dirty looks once more. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes.
It is the Malaga supporters that can be heard as we approach the 30-minute mark in the match, but their side has not offered too much in the final third thus far. Another cross into the Malaga box is met by Soldado, but his header was always straight at Caballero. It is the type of match that really needs a goal.
Good pressure from the home side as they force two corners in quick succession, but the first is headed clear by Weligton before Cissokho heads the second over the crossbar. You just get the feeling that there will not be too many goals this evening, both sides have impressed in defence in recent weeks.
GOAL! Valencia 1-0 Malaga (Parejo)
What was I just saying about defences? Demichelis gets himself in all sorts of trouble in his own box, Parejo nips past the Argentine before coolly finding the bottom corner. First blood to Valencia. You cannot say that it has not been coming.
Now we will see what this Malaga team is made of. They have been impressive this season, but how much do they really want to win this match? A reminder that they will not play European football next season regardless of their final position due to a European ban.
GOAL! Valencia 2-0 Malaga (Soldado)
Malaga are falling to pieces here. It's wonderful work from Cissokho as the defender drives down the left before finding Soldado, who simply cannot miss from close range. What on earth are the away side doing?
PENALTY TO VALENCIA!
The home side are awarded a penalty as Demichelis fells Banega in the box. What an incredible five minutes in this match. Soldado will step up to take the penalty.
GOAL! Valencia 3-0 Malaga (Soldado)
Three goals in five minutes! Stunning penalty from the Spanish striker as he guides his effort into the bottom corner. That is a wonderful penalty from the forward. Wow.
GOAL! Valencia 4-0 Malaga (Canalas)
Oh my good grief. Valencia have scored their fourth in six minutes as Canales is on hand to tap home following a save from Caballero. This is quite incredible?!
I am not quite sure what to say about what we have just seen. Malaga have just simply fallen apart here. A team that had the best defensive record in the league for a large part of the season. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining. Will it get worse?
Half-chance for the away side this time as Isco collects possession on the edge of the box before striking towards goal, but it just flashed past the post. Meanwhile, Valencia are forced into a change as Canales is replaced by Feghouli. Let's hope that it is not serious for the Spaniard.
If you are Malaga, where do you go from here? Dare they try and attack and risk being cut open on the break? Or will they attempt keep the score down? Little over five minutes of the first period remaining. It is a shame for the neutral, but this game is over as a contest.
There is certainly some ill-feeling in this match as the challenges continue to fly in from both sides. Malaga have scored four times against Valencia already this season, but it is difficult to see them achieving that this evening. Pellegrini will have some serious words at the interval that is for certain.
Cissokho again causes all sorts of problems with his pace and direct running, but Weligton comes across to make the challenge. The resulting corner is delivered by Banega, but Caballero comes through a host of bodies to claim the danger. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments.
GOAL! Valencia 4-1 Malaga (Baptista)
Malaga gain a free kick just outside the Valencia box as Pereira fells Eliseu. Baptista steps up before curling his effort into the top corner. Stunning set piece from the Brazilian.
HALF-TIME: Valencia 4-1 Malaga
Well, not much happened in the opening 25 minutes of the match. But since then we have had five goals, four for the home side and one for Malaga. I said that there would not be too many goals this evening, but how wrong was I. As it stands, Valencia will move above Malaga into fifth position.
STATISTICS: The home side have just shaded the possession with 55%, but they have dominated the attempts with nine to Malaga's two. However, that goal from Baptista on the stroke of the interval has just handed a crumb of comfort to the away side. That said, surely it is a case of too little too late.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have already been forced into a change with Feghouli replacing Canales. However, they still have a host of options on the bench in the shape of Jonathan Viera, Nelson Valdez and Andres Guardado. Meanwhile, Malaga with the likes of Duda, Lucas Piazon and Santa Cruz in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Change for Malaga with Duda replacing Saviola. Just a reminder that three points for Valencia would move them above Malaga into fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Real Sociedad. Right, the away side get the half underway.
Malaga had only conceded 16 away goals at the start of play this evening, the same number as Real Madrid, but that record has been blown apart this evening. Not the best of starts to the second period for Isco, meanwhile, as the Spaniard gains a yellow card for poor challenge on Pereira.
It's good work from Parejo as the Spaniard collects possession outside the box before attempting to find the run of Feghouli, but the midfielder had just moved into an offside position. First real involvement for Duda as the Portuguese combines with Baptista, but Rami is across to make a fine challenge.
Baptista is again involved for Malaga as he combines with Joaquin before striking towards goal, but it was always moving wide of the post. Isco attempts to force the issue moments later as he flicks the ball over the head of Banega, but the midfielder is felled by the Argentine.
Really scrappy period of the match in the last few moments with the referee called into action to deal with a number of challenges from both sides. Feghouli attempts to find the run of Soldado with a searching pass, but Weligton clears, before Albelda is booked for a challenge on Baptista.
Half-chance for Soldado to add his third as the Spaniard collects a pass from Banega before advancing into the box, but Weligton is across to make the clearance. In fairness to Malaga, they have more than matched their opponents in this second period, shame about the first.
GOAL! Valencia 5-1 Malaga (Banega)
Stunning effort from Banega as the Argentine collects possession on the edge of the box before thumping an effort into the top corner. Inspired finish from the midfielder, but terrible defending from Malaga.
Well, Malaga had started the second period in positive fashion, but that goal has well and truly ended this match as a contest. Another half-chance arrives moments later as Jonas strikes an effort from outside the box, but Caballero makes the save.
It is understood that Valencia boss Ernesto Valverde has not yet signed a new contract with the Spanish club, which does seem strange at this stage of the season. But I suspect that there is work going on behind the scenes. Jonas again tries his luck from distance, but his effort is wide of the post.
Malaga once more attempt to force the issue down the left as Iturra drives towards the box before delivering a low cross, but Baptista is the only Malaga forward in the box. A free kick comes from Joaquin moments later, but the Spaniard's effort was always moving wide of the post.
A smart free kick moments later eventually allows Joaquin to thump an effort from distance, but it was always moving wide of the far post. Little under 25 minutes of football remaining this evening, with Valencia leading 5-1 on the night.
Feghouli is involved down the right for the home side as he moves past two defenders before delivering a cross towards Soldado, but it just would not fall for the Spaniard. Meanwhile, Malaga make their second change of the match as Sergio Sanchez replaces Camacho.
Valencia make their second change of the match as Albelda is replaced by Victor Ruiz. It has been another impressive display from the Spanish midfielder. Not too much to report in the last couple of minutes with the home side comfortable in possession of the ball.
Weligton is lucky to remain on the pitch here as he elbows Feghouli, but the referee awards a yellow card when it perhaps should have been a red. It is difficult to see all 22 players remaining on the pitch in the latter stages as the frustration continues to grow.
Good possession from the away side in the last couple of minutes with Eliseu and Sanchez both offering width down each wing, but the final ball has been lacking all evening. Isco takes charge of possession moments later before striking from distance, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar.
The last time Valencia scored six goals was against Malaga over a decade ago, but you sense that they will get opportunities to break that record in the remaining 15 minutes or so. Just a reminder that both managers have one change remaining if they should wish.
Half-chance for Joaquin to score against his former club as he bursts into the box, but Cissokho is across to make a fine challenge. The resulting corner also causes problems in the Valencia box, but Diego Alves makes a fine save from a Sanchez effort.
Half-chance for Soldado to add his third as he collects possession in the box, but he cannot evade the challenge of two defenders. Baptista has a opportunity down the other end moments later, but he can only whip his effort wide of the post. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining.
Not too much to report in the last few minutes with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Soldado comes close with a thumping effort from inside the box, but Caballero makes the save. Meanwhile, Valencia make their third and final change of the match as Juan Bernat replaces Jonas.
Decent possession from Malaga in the last few moments, but the final ball continues to evade them. Meanwhile, the away side also make their final change of the match as Iturra is replaced by Lucas Piazon. I wonder what he would have been told - go on and get me four goals?
Still the referee is called into action to deal with a number of challenges as Malaga continue to lose their discipline. The sooner this match ends the better for everyone involved. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of stoppage time.
Good possession from Malaga as we approach the final couple of moments, but it is certainly a case of too little too late. The Valencia supporters are creating a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium with little over a minute of time remaining.
FULL-TIME: Valencia 5-1 Malaga
So there we have it. Valencia score five goals on their way to recording all three points against Malaga. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more Spanish football from 10.30am tomorrow. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
