Valencia's goalkeeper Diego Alves (L) catches the ball next to teammate Jose Luis Gaya (Front) and Sevilla's Vicente Iborra during their Spanish First Division match at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia Sunday. — Reuters
BARCELONA — Dani Parejo scored twice to lead Valencia to a 3-1 win over Sevilla as the host moved past the Andalusian side into fourth place in the Spanish league Sunday.
Sevilla fell two points behind Valencia, but it still has a game in hand at leader Real Madrid on Feb. 4.
Elsewhere, Malaga came from behind for a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao, four days before the two play for a spot in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. Christian Stuani scored two goals to help Espanyol beat visitor Almeria 3-0.
Abel Resino also debuted as Granada's new manager in a 2-2 draw at Deportivo La Coruna.
The physical and up-tempo contest at Mestalla Stadium between the two sides fighting for Spain's last Champions League spot included three penalty kicks, the last of which Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves saved to add to his fame as a penalty-stopping specialist.
Parejo put Valencia ahead in the 18th minute when he converted the match's first penalty after Diogo Figueras kicked Alvaro Negredo inside the box.
The midfielder slotted in a second goal in the 32nd to cap a counterattack started from a poorly taken free kick by Sevilla's Gerard Deulofeu.
Sevilla, however, pushed forward and Carlos Bacca beat Diego Alves from the spot in the 36th after Parejo brought down Figueras.
Bacca had a chance to level the score five minutes later following Joao Cancelo's rash tackle of Victor “Vitolo” Machin in the area, but this time Diego Alves smothered his spot kick.
“He fooled me on the first one, but on the second I knew he had the pressure on him and I went to the same side as I had in the first and stopped it,” said Diego Alves. “We pulled a bit ahead (of Sevilla), now let's see if we can stay there.”
Javi Fuego added Valencia's third in the 52nd by volleying in Rodrigo Moreno's pass after Fuego had intercepted goalie Antonio “Beto” Bastos' errant long ball.
Earlier, Bilbao midfielder Mikel San Jose headed in Markel Susaeta's corner kick at the near post in the 70th, only for winter reinforcement Javi Guerra to tap home Miguel Torres low cross eight minutes later.
Roma sweats on Strootman
Serie A title challenger Roma is sweating on Kevin Strootman after the Dutchman was forced off with a suspected knee injury during a 1-1 draw away to Fiorentina Sunday.
The 24-year-old Dutch international was replaced in the 34th minute by Miralem Pjanic after tumbling to the ground clutching his knee following a challenge.
PSG downs Saint-Etienne
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored for the first time in five league games, blasting home a penalty as Paris Saint-Germain secured a scrappy 1-0 win at Saint-Etienne to stay four points behind leader Lyon, which beat 10-man Metz 2-0 in Sunday's earlier game with top scorer Alexandre Lacazette limping off shortly after scoring.
The win moves PSG up to second place, level on points and on goal difference with bitter rival Marseille, while Saint-Etienne remains in fourth spot.
Also, Evian beat fellow struggler Toulouse 1-0; Caen moved above Lens and into 18th place after a morale-boosting 4-1 win at Rennes, and Lens drew 0-0 at Reims. — Agencies
