Late own goal earns Neville's Valencia a point at Eibar

Sport360 staff 04:15 14/12/2015
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  • Positive start: Gary Neville.

    Valencia salvaged a draw away to Eibar with a late own goal in Gary Neville’s first league fixture.

    A goal down and playing with 10 men, Valencia appeared to be heading for defeat until Eibar defender David Junca turned the ball into his own net four minutes from time.

    Sergi Enrich had given Eibar the lead on the stroke of half-time, before Lucas Orban’s harsh red card for what appeared a fair mid-air challenge with Dani Garcia, in the 63rd minute, increased the difficulty of Valencia’s task.

    That saw Eibar awarded a penalty but the home side could not take advantage as Saul Berjon saw his spot-kick superbly saved by Juanme Domenech, with Borja Baston unable to turn in the loose ball.

    Valencia were disorganised throughout, particularly in defence, under Eibar’s growing first-half pressure. The hosts deserved to take the lead through Enrich’s 45th-minute goal, when he scrambled Ander Capa’s cross beyond Jaume.

    Things then looked to be going from bad to worse for Los Che when they lost Orban to a red card and conceded a penalty, but Juame’s heroics kept the difference to 1-0. And, encouragingly for Neville, his 10 men were able to fight their way back into the match, largely owing to Alvaro Negredo as it was his through-ball to Andre Gomes that Eibar’s Junca turned into his own net.

    If Valencia’s equalising goal was fortunate, they were less lucky in the third minute of stoppage time.

    The talented Paco Alcacer was through on goal and appeared likely to score their second before being brought down by Eibar’s Ivan Ramis. Ramis was rightly sent off, but had succeeded in preventing a winning goal.

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