Valencia ended a four-match losing streak on Tuesday as Luis Rioja scored a late winner to secure a 1-0 victory over Alaves in La Liga.
The win also gave interim head coach Oscar Sanchez a winning start after Valencia dismissed Carlos Corberan following their 1-0 defeat to Sevilla at the weekend.
Valencia thought they had taken the lead shortly after the quarter-hour mark when Arnaut Danjuma’s first-time effort beat Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera.
However, the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Alaves responded and gradually grew into the contest, with Pablo Maffeo forcing Sivera into a save with a volley from outside the box.
The hosts came close again before the break when Pablo Ibanez headed Angel Perez’s cross wide.
The second half was less eventful, with neither side able to establish a sustained attacking rhythm.
Alaves, who had won all three of their home matches this season, struggled to reproduce the attacking form that produced their 5-2 victory over Osasuna.
Valencia eventually found the breakthrough with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Javi Guerra played a precise through ball into the path of Rioja, who raced into the area before lifting the ball over Sivera to give the visitors all three points.
The victory lifted Valencia out of the relegation zone, at least temporarily, while Alaves remained fourth despite the defeat.
The result also denied the hosts a fourth consecutive home win, something they had not achieved since 2001.
