Valencia rescue a point against minnows Getafe after defensive failings see Gary Neville’s side lose ground in top four race

Gary Neville took charge of his first home La Liga match on Saturday
The 2-2 draw with 14th placed Getafe puts Valencia 7th in La Liga
Neville’s side next face Villarreal before hosting Real Madrid

Published:
17:34 GMT, 19 December 2015

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Updated:
17:50 GMT, 19 December 2015

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Gary Neville watched his Valencia side score two brilliant first half goals but only take a point against Getafe because of defensive lapses at the other end of the pitch.

Rash challenges and loose passing in dangerous areas meant Valencia went behind twice in the first 45 minutes coming back into the game, thanks to Paco Alcacer’ s volley and a goal from Santi Mina, to draw 2-2.

In charge of his first home league game he saw his team fly out of the traps but as lively as they were going forward they were nervous at the back and when on nine minutes Jose Gaya fouled the edge of his own area Pablo Sarabia whipped the free-kick over the wall and past Jaume Domenech.

Valencia manager Gary Neville instructs his side during the La Liga contest with Getafe on Saturday

Paco Alcacer (centre) celebrates scoring his equaliser at the Mestalla stadium as Valencia drew with Getafe

Valencia equalised through Alcacer who showed why he has emerged as Spain’s number nine getting in-front of the Getafe defence and flashing a left-foot volley past Vicente Guaita from Joao Cancelo’s cross.

They were back on level terms but it did not last long. Aymen Abdennour played a nothing pass to no one in particular in a dangerous area and from Victor Rodriguez’ steal Angel Lafita scored.

It could have been 3-1 when Cala headed in a free-kick only for it to be ruled out for offside. Then the tide turned. Valencia scored with a sweeping move that saw Cancelo feed Alcacer who crossed for substitute Santi Mina to convert at the far post.

Valencia dominated the rest of the half and were frustrated by Getafe’s time-wasting. The Neville’s were stunned when the board for just one added minute was shown at the break.

The second half was more frustration than goal-fest with one training ground set-piece not coming off at all and a fancy flick from Andre Gomes playing Getafe in to launch an attack. But for all the teething problems Neville – who cringed at both those moments – will have been pleased by the intensity of his team.

And he thought they had scored ten minutes from time when Parejo’s shot was almost over the line as Guaita batted it away. There is no goal-line technology in Spain and the Valencia players’ protests were waved away.

Assistant manager Phil Neville (left) attempts to motivate the Valencia side as they struggled against Getafe

Gary Neville’s Valencia side are seventh in the La Liga table following a 2-2 draw with Getafe on Saturday

Valencia’s Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes (right) fights for possession with defender Damian Suarez

Then substitute Alvaro Negredo almost won it only to see his header from Cancelo’s cross saved. Cancelo had been outstanding throughout and his last-ditch tackle on the edge of the six-yard box with three minutes left saved the point.There was an even later let-off when Lafita hit the bar.

There’s a local derby against Villarreal next followed by the visit of Rafa Benitez’ Real Madrid. The games are not going to get any easier but there was enough about this performance to suggest Neville’s Valencia should go into them with confidence as soon as the defensive creases are ironed out.