Alcacer, Parejo score two goals apiece to lead Valencia over Celta
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain striker Paco Alcacer and Dani Parejo scored two goals apiece to lead Valencia to a commanding 5-1 victory at Celta Vigo in the Spanish league on Saturday.
The duo also combined for several good passing moves against a third-place Celta side that failed to convert several scoring chances during the first hour.
Alcacer worked a one-two passing combination with Parejo to open the scoring at Balaidos Stadium in the 13th.
Augusto Fernandez leveled for the hosts in the 24th, but Parejo dipped a free kick over the wall and into the corner of the net just before halftime to restore Valencia's advantage.
Alcacer added to the lead seconds after the restart when he poached Jonathan Castro's poor pass before he set up Parejo to score again in the 64th.
Parejo got a third assist when Shkodran Mustafi headed home his cross in the 79th to cap the rout.
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Valencia's first away win the league in four outings came three days after a disappointing 1-0 loss at Ghent in the Champions League. It should relieve some pressure on coach Nuno Espirito Santo as the team rose into provisional sixth place before a week-long break for international matches.
"We were all looking for a win like this one," Parejo said. "You saw a Valencia with its pride stung and we brought it all out."
Celta wasted a chance to take the overnight lead before leader Real Madrid and second-place Barcelona play on Sunday. It remained three points behind the front-runners and can be overtaken by Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, who also play on Sunday.
Celta dictated the pace for most of the match until it fell behind 4-1 from Parejo's second goal.
Daniel Wass had a goal waived off in the first half by the referee who didn't let play continue after a foul against Valencia, and striker Iago Aspas hit the post in the 61st, seconds before Andre Fontas sent a deflected shot just by the upright.
"We conceded goals that normally we don't concede, but I think we have enough of a team to bounce back from this," said Celta defender Sergi Gomez.
Bottom side Levante hosts Deportivo La Coruna later, while Granada visits Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis plays at Malaga, and Eibar hosts Getafe.
