Having scored just three times in four matches so far this season, the home side’s woes in front of goal were put to rest just five minutes in, when Isi Palazón netted to give Vallecano an early need. A quick free-kick from Óscar Trejo was driven into the path of Palazón, where the 27-year-old was on hand to sweep home a stylish left-footed finish.
Already enduring a difficult start to the season, Valencia’s sluggish start to proceedings at the Estadio de Vallecas would’ve done little to lift the pressure on Gattuso’s shoulders. Instead, the Valencia manager was forced to watch his side surrender chances at will to a rampant Vallecano frontline. Giorgi Mamardashvili denied Óscar Trejo a simple tap-in, before the Valencia goalkeeper tipped Sergio Camello’s curling strike around the post, ensuring the hosts led by just the one at HT.
See stats from the match at Flashscore
When it rains it pours, as a frustrated Gattuso found out shortly after the interval, with Nico González diverting a mistimed clearance into his own net. Attempting to clear his lines following a Vallecano corner, the midfielder could only hold his head in his hands, as the ball sailed beyond Mamardashvili in the visitors’ goal.
A lapse in concentration would give Valencia a fortunate consolation deep into added time, with Mouctar Diakhaby ghosting in behind the Vallecano defence to tap home from close range. It would count for little, as the hosts held on to record their first victory at home in 12 La Liga attempts. They move into the division’s top half, after a successful outing in the early afternoon Madrid sunshine.
Flashscore Man of the match: Isi Palazón (Rayo Vallecano)
