Played
December 22, 2013 9:00 PM WAT
Estadio de Mestalla — Valencia
Referee: Fernando Teixeira
Attendance: 40000
December 22, 2013 9:00 PM WAT
Estadio de Mestalla — Valencia
Referee: Fernando Teixeira
Attendance: 40000
Valencia 2-3 Real Madrid: Jese earns Blancos vital victory
The youngster found the back of the net with a low strike with just eight minutes to go to keep Carlo Ancelotti's men within touching distance of leaders Barcelona and Atletico
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In what was Nico Estevez's first league game in temporary charge of Valencia, following the exit of Miroslav Djukic on Monday, the hosts showed plenty of character to equalise twice at the Mestalla on Sunday.
However, substitute Jese denied the home side as Los Blancos made it seven league games unbeaten on a weekend when title rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both won going into the mid-season break.
A superb solo effort from Angel Di Maria put Madrid ahead after 28 minutes, with the forward darting between Jeremy Mathieu and Juan Bernat before firing home.
The visitors' lead was cancelled out six minutes later when Pablo Piatti headed the home side level after good work down the left by Bernat.
Cristiano Ronaldo then headed his 18th La Liga goal of the season to restore his side's advantage, but again Valencia hit back, with Mathieu equalising with a header from Dani Parejo's corner just after the hour.
Just when it looked as though Valencia would frustrate Madrid, Jese popped up with the winner eight minutes from time - his driven effort squirming through Vicente Guaita's hands.
Ancelotti was unable to name Gareth Bale in his Blancos squad after he suffered a calf injury in training in midweek. The Italian was also without the injured Raphael Varane and the suspended Pepe, with Nacho retaining his place from Real's 2-0 Copa del Rey win over Xativa.
Estevez made four changes from Valencia's 3-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid with goalkeeper Guaita among those brought in. Sergio Canales had to settle for a place on the bench against his former club.
Xabi Alonso came close to connecting with a Marcelo corner at the far post after 16 minutes before Ronaldo flashed a shot wide, as Madrid enjoyed much of the early pressure.
The visitors' positive start was rewarded two minutes before the half-hour mark when Di Maria cut inside from the right before beating two Valencia defenders and finding the far corner of Guaita's net.
However, their joy was short-lived as Piatti stole in ahead of Sergio Ramos to head home Bernat's delivery six minutes later.
The goals continued to flow as Di Maria turned provider for Madrid's second, supplying a teasing set-piece delivery for Ronaldo to head home unmarked after 40 minutes.
In what was a low-key start to the second half, neither side were able to fashion any clear-cut chances until Mathieu drew Valencia level a minute after the hour mark.
The defender shook off the attentions of Ramos to angle a header past Diego Lopez and register his first goal of the season.
It mattered little, however, as Guaita failed to stop Jese's low strike after 82 minutes, ensuring Ancelotti's men remain five points off La Liga's two frontrunners. --------------------------------------- goal.com
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