Valencia 1-2 Real Zaragoza

Valencia threw away an early lead and went on to suffer an embarrassing 2-1 home defeat against nine-man bottom-placed Real Zaragoza this evening.

Pablo Hernandez gave the hosts the lead after nine minutes, as he smashed home from 10 yards following a slick pass from Roberto Soldado.

The game looked to be over as a contest 12 minutes later as Pablo Alvarez was shown a straight red card for bringing down Aritz Aduriz, who was in on goal.

Javier Aguirre's men levelled on the half-hour as Apono struck from the penalty spot to net his first goal for Zaragoza since his move from Malaga in January.

The 28-year-old then, to the shock of the Mestalla crowd, doubled his tally 13 minutes from time with a ferocious left-footed strike to cap an excellent counter-attack.

Second-half substitute Franco Zuculini was dismissed in stoppage time for a second bookable offence, but Zaragoza held firm for a memorable win.