MADRID (AFP) - Cash-strapped Valencia started the new season on the right note with a 2-0 home win over rivals Sevilla who were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Frederic Kanoute.
Mali international Kanoute was sent off close to half-time for two dangerous aerial challenges and Valencia took full advantage with second half goals from Juan Mata and Pablo Hernandez.
Valencia were poor at home last season so this was the perfect start against one of their direct rivals for a Champions League spot.
"We have passed one test and will continue studying for the next one," said Valencia coach Unai Emery.
David Villa was expected to be one of the big name exits this summer with Valencia's financial troubles well-documented.
However, Villa saw potential moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid fall through and appears to be focussed on Valencia.
A cut-up Mestalla pitch meant neither side could play their fluid passing game but Valencia coped better with the conditions and were given a helping hand with the sending-off of Kanoute.
Seconds before half-time the former Tottenham striker collected a second yellow card for crashing into Carlos Marchena having already been booked for catching Bruno with a stray elbow.
"He should never have been sent off," fumed Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez.
"My player (Kanoute) got to the ball and Marchena got there late."
Mata, a Barcelona target this summer, netted with a swing of his left boot two minutes after the break and Hernandez wrapped up the points with a fortunate shot that flew into the top corner.
Earlier on Sunday Atletico Madrid came down off their Champions League cloud, crashing to a 3-0 opening day league defeat at Malaga.
Atletico had qualified for the Champions League, drawing Chelsea in the group stages, but their inconsistency suggests it will be another rollercoaster season.
Nabil Baha put Malaga ahead on 34 minutes and defender Manu added a second on his full league debut before Xavi Torres netted late on.
"It was our worst game since the pre-season," said coach Abel Resino. "We have to keep working to rectify these mistakes because the league has only just started."
Villarreal will expect to challenge Atletico for third spot, with Barcelona and Real Madrid expected to be first and second, and the post-Manuel Pellegrini era started with a 1-1 draw against Osasuna on Sunday.
Ernesto Valverde has taken over the reins from Pellegrini, who jumped ship for Real Madrid, but could not start with a win.
Valverde handed Brazilian forward Nilmar, a 12-million-euro club record signing, his debut in attack.
Winger Santi Cazorla put Villarreal ahead on 31 minutes but the lead was shortlived as Walter Pandiani equalised six minutes later.
"I thought we were going to win the match but we have to accept the point because at times Osasuna were better," confessed Valverde.
In other matches, Roberto Soldado scored a sensational hat-trick to fire Getafe to the top of the table with a thumping 4-1 win at Racing Santander.
Elsewhere Bilbao got over their Spanish Super Cup loss to Barcelona with a 1-0 home victory over Espanyol.
Japan international midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, a free transfer from Celtic, made his Espanyol bow but it ended in defeat as Gaizka Toquero struck a 78th minute winner.
Jerez's first ever game in the Spanish top-flight - 62 years after their foundation - ended in a 2-0 reverse at Real Mallorca.
On Saturday, Real Madrid's new brand of 'Galacticos', fronted by Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, started with a hard-fought 3-2 home win over Deportivo La Coruna.
Lass Diarra scored the decisive goal for Real as coach Pellegrini enjoyed a winning start in his first match in charge.
Champions Barcelona start their title defence on Monday at home to Sporting Gijon and must do without Argentine sensation Lionel Messi.
Messi is away on international duty with Argentina who face Brazil in a crucial 2010 World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
1 - 0 |
||
2 - 0 |
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Moyá | |
| 5 |
Marchena
|
|
| 23 | Miguel |
 19'
|
| 20 | Alexis | |
| 2 |
Bruno
|
|
| 15 | Dealbert | |
| 21 |
David Silva
|
|
| 24 | É. Banega | |
| 19 | Pablo Hernández |
 80'
|
| 7 | David Villa | |
| 10 | Mata |
47'
|
| Coach: Unai Emery | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palop | |
| 4 | S. Squillaci |
84'
|
| 14 | J. Escudé | |
| 18 | Navarro |
7'
|
| 24 | A. Konko | |
| 22 |
C. Romaric
|
|
| 5 | A. Duscher | |
| 7 | Jesús Navas | |
| 25 |
D. Perotti
|
|
| 12 | F. Kanouté |
23'
 44'
|
| 10 |
Luís Fabiano
|
|
| Coach: Manolo Jiménez | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 22 |
for Bruno 45' |
|
| 6 |
for Marchena 60' |
|
| 30 |
for David Silva 84' |
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 8 |
for C. Romaric 22' |
|
| 19 |
for D. Perotti 56' |
|
| 9 |
for Luís Fabiano 69' |
