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La Liga

Dec 31, 2015 at 3pm UK

Villarreal
1-0
Valencia

Soriano (64')

FT(HT: 0-0)

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Gary Neville suffers first La Liga defeat at Villarreal

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 31 December 2015

Bruno Soriano's second-half free kick is enough for Villarreal to beat Valencia and inflict a first La Liga defeat on Gary Neville.

Gary Neville lost his first La Liga game in charge of Valencia by going down 1-0 at Villarreal this afternoon.

Neville had drawn his first two league matches against Eibar and Getafe and his charges could not end their search for a win today as Bruno Soriano's second-half free kick settled it at El Madrigal.

Gary Neville watches on during the game between Villarreal and Valencia on December 31, 2015 © AFP

Villarreal started quickly in today's game, with Jonathan dos Santos and Roberto Soldado both threatening in the opening five minutes.

The hosts continued to enjoy plenty of the ball in Valencia's half, but the visitors kept them at bay through to half time.

Valencia improved after the break and Paco Alcacer shot over with a golden opportunity before Soriano won the game with an inch-perfect free kick.

Bruno Soriano reveals a disturbingly small bicep after scoring during the game between Villarreal and Valencia on December 31, 2015 © AFP

The Yellow Submarine's captain had gone close from a set play in the first half, and Valencia keeper Jaume Domenech did not take any warning from that effort as the midfielder again decided not to go over the wall and instead picked out the far corner.

It is a fourth straight league win for Villarreal, who move up into the top four. Valencia are 10th and without a league win in six.