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Valencia clinch Liga crown
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-05-10 09:05
Valencia clinched their second Spanish title in three seasons after goals from midfielders Vicente and Ruben Baraja sealed a 2-0 win at Sevilla on Sunday.
With only two games left, the victory left Rafa Benitez's side with an unassailable seven-point lead over Real Madrid, who slumped to their third successive defeat on Saturday, 3-2 at home to Real Mallorca.
Valencia's Carlos Lopez Marchena (L) and Sevilla's Brazilian Daniel Alves battle for the ball during their First Division soccer match at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium May 9, 2004. [Reuters] |
It is the first time in five years that Real have finished the season without a major trophy and they now have to battle with Barcelona for the runners-up spot and an automatic Champions League place.
Valencia have the chance to end their campaign with a first ever domestic and European double. They meet Olympique Marseille in the UEFA Cup final on May 19.
"It is incredible," said Valencia captain David Albelda. "I think we're deserved winners, we've worked really hard all season and been by far the most consistent side in the league. Let's see if we can now go for the UEFA Cup as well."
After 36 of 38 games Valencia have 77 points, Real follow on 70, one ahead of Barcelona, who lost 1-0 at Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Deportivo Coruna, who slipped to a 2-0 defeat at struggling Espanyol, are a further four points adrift in fourth.
Valencia produced the sort of slick, disciplined performance that has helped them earn a sixth league title in the 85 years since they were founded.
Coach Rafa Benitez's men took the sting out of an aggressive Sevilla side in the opening minutes and hit their opponents with a devastating counter-attack from inside their own half in the 12th minute.
Diminutive forward Xisco back-heeled the ball into the path of Vicente after receiving a quick pass down on the left flank from defender Amedeo Carboni.
The speedy winger, who has been outstanding all season, raced towards the area, fended off a challenge from Sevilla defender Javi Navarro and drilled the ball past keeper Esteban at the near post to the delight of the 3,000-strong contingent of travelling Valencia fans.
RARE ERROR
Valencia made a rare defensive error when Baptista's strike partner Carlitos got ahead of centre-back Carlos Marchena late in the first half but he sent his header over the bar.
It was the visitors, though, who looked to have extended their lead three minutes later when Jorge Lopez turned sharply and fired home after controlling a Vicente cross with his chest, but the goal was harshly ruled out for offside.
Sevilla also had the ball in the net before the break when Carlitos headed home an Antonio Lopez cross, but this time the Sevilla forward had begun his run from an offside position.
The Andalucians, who knew that a win would put them into a UEFA Cup berth, put Valencia under heavy pressure early in the second half and midfielder Sergio Ramos and substitute striker Antonito went close to scoring.
Keeper Santiago Canizares, whose team has conceded only 24 goals all season, came to the rescue when he blocked a close-range shot from Sevilla striker Dario Silva 15 minutes from time.
Valencia endured a few more scares before Baraja made sure of victory when he latched on to a short pass from Xisco, darted into the area, checked inside three defenders and slotted home with his left foot.
Elsewhere, Espanyol hauled themselves out of the relegation zone for the first time in eight months with the defeat of Deportivo.
Argentine defender Mauricio Pochettino opened for the home side when he clipped in past Jose Molina after midfielder Ivan de la Pena had beaten the offside trap with a clever lofted pass in the eighth minute.
It was former Barcelona player De la Pena who secured the victory when he guided in as Mustapha Hadji tipped the ball into his path after Molin had been unable to gather a cross 16 minutes from time.
Valladolid, who scrambled a 2-2 draw at home to Real Sociedad despite having three men sent off, replace Espanyol in the drop zone with Celta Vigo and already relegated Murcia.
Espanyol are on 40 points from 36 matches, one ahead of Celta and two ahead of Valladolid.
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