Mallorca come from behind to earn valuable point in Valencia

Real Mallorca came from two goals down to earn a valuable point in Valencia. But in truth, Unai Emery will be scratching his head as to how his side didn’t walk away with all three points after being gifted a 2-0 half-time lead.

But the visitors, who started the day just five points above the relegation zone, showed great heart to pull one back through Emilio Nsue before Víctor equalised. Valencia, who had Costa sent-off late on, remain third and still look a good bet to claim a Champions League spot while the Balearic Islanders will reflect on a good away point.

Los Che started quickly and only a fine save from Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate prevented Roberto Soldado from handing the hosts an eighth-minute advantage. Mallorca had another let-off five minutes later, Costa firing a 20-yard free-kick on to the bar. Soldado came close again after 22 minutes, his seemingly goalbound shot only kept out by a fine defensive block by Jose Chico.

The pressure finally told a minute later as Sofiane Feghouli picked out Costa and he swept home via a deflection from outside the box. A Sergio Tejera free-kick aside, home keeper Vicente Guaita was hardly tested while, at the other end, Aouate was twice called upon to deny Jonas. It was, therefore, no surprise when Valencia scored a second before the break as the hitherto excellent Aouate made a mess of a routine clearance under pressure from Soldado and Aduriz was left with the simple task of tapping in.

The second half started the way the first had finished with Valencia dominating, Feghouli twice coming close to making it 3-0 within four minutes of the restart. But instead Mallorca pulled one back as Michael Pereira’s pass found Nsue and he finished well.

Pereira almost netted an equaliser on the hour mark, shooting wide when well placed, but the leveller was not long in coming as Nsue whipped in a cross from the left for Victor to convert from six yards.

Valencia never looked like conjuring up a winner with a Pablo Piatti free-kick which was comfortably saved by Aouate the closest they came. And their frustration boiled over with six minutes to go as Costa saw red for a two footed lunge on Alfaro.

Teams

Valencia (4-4-2): Guaita; Barragán, Rami , Dealbert, Jordi Alba (Piatti 74′); Feghouli, Parejo, Tino Costa , Jonas (Topal 86′); Soldado, Aduriz (Mathieu 64′).
Substitutes: Diego Alves (gk); Piatti, Bruno; Albelda, Bernat, Topal; Mathieu.
Goals: Tino Costa 23′; Aduriz 42′.

Real Mallorca (4-2-3-1): Aouate ; Chico, Nunes, Ramis, Cáceres ; Martí, Tejera (Alfaro 61′); Pereira (Cendrós 85′), Álvaro (Castro 88′), Nsue; Víctor .
Substitutes: Calatayud (gk); Martí Crespí, Cendrós; Alfaro, Castro; Ogunjimi, Hemed.
Goals: Nsue 57′; Víctor 65′.

Referee: Cesar Muñiz Fernández (ESP).
Stadium: Mestalla, Valencia.
Attendance: 35,000.