Despite going 1-0 down early on, Valencia were well in control as they utterly thrashed Deportivo. Valencia 4-2 Deportivo La Coruña
It almost looked like the Valencia of old as Los Che turned on the style against Deportivo. A largely old-school line-up was more than a match for a Depor outfit that had little presence in and around the box and not enough composure at the back.
David Villa grabbed two of the hosts' goals, with Mata and Joaquín - two of the more vital Valencia players - also registering on the scoresheet.
First Half
Valencia started brightly as they looked to catch the visiting full-backs out through the likes of Mata and Joaquín.
However, despite the Depor defence's early frailties, Los Che were first to concede. Pablo Álvarez took full advantage of a counter by firing a low cross into the box, and while there was nobody in a blue shirt waiting to receive it, Emiliano Moretti turned the ball past his own 'keeper and into the back of the net.
Still, Valencia seemed undaunted as they pressed forward anew. Joaquín began to improve and cut inside effectively, while the effervescent Mata blasted over after working into space on the penalty spot.
Depor began to settle into a passing rhythm around the half hour mark, but in fact Valencia were about to score. 36 minutes in Joaquín's lofted cross evaded the sprawling Aranzubia, and while Lopo got a touch to it with his head, Mata was there to nod it over the line.
The visitors began to look a bit nervous, giving Aranzubia more to do, but the scores stayed level heading into the break.
Second Half
The home fans didn't have to wait long to see their team take the lead. Villa had already put Aranzubia under pressure soon after the restart, but 48 minutes in he'd hit the back of the net.
Zé Castro found himself utterly flat-footed in the face of El Guaje's challenge, and the striker weaved past the Portuguese stopper before burying it.
Valencia were well and truly in control now, although there was to be one nervy moment as Renan had to think quickly to turn a Guardado free-kick around the post on the hour mark.
Otherwise Los Che were on top, not least in midfield, where David Albelda was putting in a much-improved performance. Manuel Fernandes came on to join him, shortly after Bravo and Ángel Lafita arrived to steel Miguel Lotina's side.
However, it didn't exactly have the desired effect, for Valencia remained in control and soon added a third. Joaquín capitalised on a lovely, flowing piece of football involving Villa and Mata to beat Aranzubia at the near post.
Immediately afterwards it could have been four after another fluid move that resulted in Villa timing the ball across goal for Mata, only for the ball to be cleared at the last second.
Morientes came off for Vicente and Guardado for Riki soon afterwards but while Depor were still putting in some heavy amount of effort they remained second-best: with sixteen minutes to go Fernandes' long-ranger flew just wide of the post as Valencia continued to threaten.
Villa made it 4-1 with his second of the evening ten minutes from time with a close-range tap-in from a Mata cross, the ex-Madrid man in turn being played through by an energetic Fernandes.
Nonetheless, Depor managed the next goal after an inexplicable period of Valencia stupidity. In a picture-perfect illustration of why teams must play to the whistle, Alexis and company stopped moving after the linesman raised his flag for an offside against Bravo. But Bravo was inactive; receiving the ball was, in fact, Ángel Lafita, and he kept on going, taking the ball six yards from goal before slotting it under Brito.
Valencia were furious, but replays showed that the referee was correct as Bravo played absolutely no part in the move that led to the goal. Albelda and Moretti picked up yellow cards for stating otherwise, repatedly, to the referee.
This second goal, while absolutely legal and well-taken by Lafita, flattered Deportivo: in truth a three-goal margin of defeat would have been more appropriate. Joaquín came very close to adding that required fifth - perhaps a shade offside, he took the ball into the box but was stymied by a last-ditch tackle from Laure, who showed the kind of courage his team could have used earlier.
In any case Valencia now go into their UEFA Cup clash midweek with considerable morale, while Depor will be a bit less confident ahead of their own.
VALENCIA CF 4-2 RC DEPORTIVO DE LA CORUÑA 0-1 Pablo Álvarez 11' 1-1 Mata 34' 2-1 Villa 49' 3-1 Joaquín 68' 4-1 Villa 81' 4-2 Lafita 84'
David Villa has insisted that he would never be able to do to Valencia what Robinho did to Real Madrid and force his way out of the club.
The Spain international was clearly unimpressed by the new Manchester City player's way of handling his situation at the Bernabéu and stated that he could not follow suit.
Robinho and Villa were the subject of intense speculation over the summer, but while Villa penned a new deal with Los Che, the Brazilian made a surprise move to Eastlands.
"I would never do to Valencia what Robinho did to Real Madrid because I am grateful for everything that the club has done for me," he told Cadena SER.
"I do not want to criticise Robinho because I do not know his situation, but I would never have done that."
Real Madrid made two huge bids before the transfer window closed, but Villa stated that he knew he had made the right choice to stay when the club turned them down.
"I was really very happy when Valencia rejected the offer, not because it meant I could not join Real Madrid, but because it was a true gesture of confidence and I felt really wanted," he continued.
"They preferred me to stay than to take all that money. Valencia valued me very highly.
"My word is worth more than anything else and I accepted the offer of a new contract by telephone at 1pm and by 6pm I have signed it and it was all finished.
"I thought about many things throughout it all, but when I received the offer of a renewal from Valencia I realised how much I was wanted and said yes.
"Of course, I thought about what would happen if they said yes or not, but I was never going to force Valencia to let me leave. I am very happy here and I owe the club a lot for their decision."
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