Getafe 0-1 Valencia

Just when we were preparing the obvious sarcastic remarks about it being a shock that Valencia had drawn 0-0 the team stole a close fought game with a late goal. I had to go out just after the hour mark so I missed the goal (and last 30 minutes.)

Just one change in the line-up, with returning Parejo replacing Kondogbia, who had injury concerns himself. It's notable that Marcelino has started the same 10 players in the last 3 games. Batshuayi, who has been poor, was dropped from the line-up altogether. Don't know if it's possible to terminate his loan in January and just get someone else in?

In the first half at least, Valencia and Rodrigo in particular had at least 3 chances to put us in front. In the first, in just the third minute, Guedes out him through, but he curled his shot just past the far post. In the second he shot at the keeper and Soler was left kicking at air when a knock back to Mina would have been better. Just before the end of the half, Guedes again put Rodrigo through but he shot at the keeper. We have at least been creating more chances the last few games, but remain as rubbish as ever at converting them.

Getafe had their chances as well, but fell victim to our offside trap, hit the woodwork and found Neto in good form as always. Our goal came through a penalty. Parejo hit it predictably, the keeper guessed right and couldn't get there.

So the positives. This is the first time since 2005 we've kept clean sheets in 4 consecutive away games. We lost both games to Getafe last season so this recovers three points (though we're still 10 points down on what we got in the identical fixtures last season.) The negatives are that if it hadn't been for the penalty we'd have drawn again and we remain a fair bit off the pace. So this is a step in the right direction but still so much improvement is needed.