Madrid: Valencia and Sevilla continued their unbeaten starts to the Spanish season to move within two points of leaders Barcelona thanks to victories over Espanyol and Getafe respectively on Sunday.
Despite missing their reported €28 million (Dh133.26 million) deadline day capture from Manchester City, Alvaro Negredo, due to a foot injury, Valencia were still too good for the Catalans as Pablo Piatti fired them into a seventh-minute lead.
Dani Parejo then doubled the hosts’ advantage just after the hour mark and Paco Alcacer rounded off his fine week after scoring on his competitive international debut for Spain against Macedonia when he made it 3-0 17 minutes from time.
A Sergio Garcia penalty in stoppage time was all Espanyol could muster as they remain without a win so far this season.
Sevilla also moved onto seven points from three games with a 2-0 win over Getafe at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Colombian international Carlos Bacca converted from the penalty spot a minute before half-time and Aleix Vidal sealed the three points late on.
Valencia sit second on goal difference ahead of Sevilla with champions Atletico Madrid in fourth also just two points adrift of Barcelona.
Granada also remain unbeaten on five points after they played out a 0-0 draw at home to Villarreal.
And Elche edged Rayo Vallecano 3-2 in the day’s early game to move into the top half of the table with their first victory of the new campaign.
