Valencia beats Espanyol, moves into second

MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Raul Albiol and Vicente Rodriguez scored second-half goals to help Valencia rally to a 2-1 win over a 10-man Espanyol on Saturday and move into second place in the Spanish league.

Espanyol took the lead at Valencia's Mestalla stadium in the 28th minute when midfielder Roman Martinez delivered a shot from outside the area which was deflected off Spain defender Albiol.

However, Francisco Perez Rufete was sent off 10 minutes later after a handball earned the midfielder his second yellow card.

Albiol broke Espanyol's resistance in the 58th with an angled shot after the visitors had failed to clear a corner.

Two minutes later, Valencia midfielder David Silva made his return from a three-month injury layoff.

Vicente, who had replaced Juanma Mata seven minutes earlier as Valencia's third substitute, slotted home the winning goal from a fine angle from David Villa's pass in the 81st.

Valencia moved to 30 points after getting just its third win in eight league games.

Espanyol, which was playing its second match under coach Mane Esnal, stayed in 18th with 13 points, having gained just one point from its past six matches.

In Saturday's late game, leaders Barcelona faced defending champion Real Madrid, whose new coach Juande Ramos was making his return to the Spanish league after replacing the fired Bernd Schuster on Tuesday.

On Sunday, it's: Getafe vs. Mallorca; Recreativo Huelva vs. Osasuna; Valladolid vs. Deportivo La Coruna; Malaga vs. Numancia; Almeria vs. Racing Santander; Athletic Bilbao vs. Sporting Gijon; and Atletico Madrid vs. Real Betis.

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