Valencia score three goals in first 15 minutes to stun Atlético Madrid

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/04/valencia-atletico-madrid-la-liga-match-report

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Atlético Madrid failed to build on Wednesday’s Champions League success against Juventus as they were beaten 3-1 by a resurgent Valencia.

Valencia last won the Spanish league title in 2004 but have started their latest campaign in impressive form and made a thrilling start at the Mestalla to race into a 3-0 lead by the 14th minute.

Atlético centre back Miranda put the ball into his own net in the sixth minute, André Gomes finished superbly after a fine run a minute later and Nicolás Otamendi nodded in at a corner to leave the champions reeling.

Mario Mandzukic pulled a goal back in the 29th minute, following up a Tiago effort to head home, before Atlético squandered a chance for a second on the stroke of halftime. Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves, a penalty specialist, saved Guilherme Siqueira’s weak spot kick – the 13th the Brazilian has stopped out of 31 faced in La Liga.

Atlético, showing little sign of fatigue after their 1-0 success against Juventus, pushed hard to get back into the match but the home side comfortably held on and Alves was barely tested in the second period.

Atlético’s Italy winger Alessio Cerci had a miserable afternoon when he came off the bench in the second half, picked up two yellow cards and was sent off. The second card was awarded in added time when he sprung the offside trap and put the ball in the net but the referee ruled he had used his arm to control it.