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Valencia came from behind to beat 10-man Espanyol 2-1 at the Mestalla as David Silva made his long-awaited comeback from injury as a second-half substitute.

0-1 Román 28′

1-1 Albiol 58′

2-1 Vicente 81′

Roman Martinez handed the Catalans a shock lead just before the half-hour mark but then Francisco Rufete was red-carded shortly before half-time and second-half goals from Raul Albiol and Vicente Rodriguez turned the match on its head.

The result will come as a relief for Los Che boss Unai Emery following last weekend’s confidence-sapping four-goal defeat at Barcelona but Jose Manuel Esnal will have been pleased with the efforts of his new Espanyol players.

Valencia looked purposeful in the opening exchanges as they tried to banish the memory of their Nou Camp misery but it was the visitors who could have taken the lead with the first real chance after nine minutes.

Nene was played in by Rufete and his low shot from 12 yards nearly brought a blunder out of Renan as the ball squirmed out of the Brazilian keeper’s grasp and away for a corner.

Joaquin then brought a fine save out of Carlos Kameni with a fierce low drive at the other end and it seemed as though the hosts were slowly beginning to turn the screw in their pursuit of the opener.

However, it was the Catalans who made the breakthrough after 29 minutes.

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