La Liga Report: Racing Hammer Valencia's Title Chances
Valencia 0 - 2 Racing Santander
Valencia's title intentions took a hammer blow as they were beaten at home by Racing Santander on Saturday evening to cap what has alreayd been a bad week for the club.
Goals from Pedro Munitis and Oriol either side of the interval were enough for Miguel Ángel Portugal's side to pull off a resounding win.
Inconsistency among the top four teams has been a feature of the Spanish season, but few expected los Ché to capitulate against the Cantabrian visitors.
It was a game that coach Quique Sánchez Flores was desperate to win to banish the fracas at the end of the Champions League game against Inter.
That incident hung over the club into the build-up to this encounter, as several Valencia players were punished for their role and a victory against Racing would have lifted spirits.
Instead, the team that must face Chelsea next in Europe were hit by a smash and grab as they picked up nothing from a game that saw themc create numerous chances.
Flores' defence is usually the strong point of his side, but in this outing the Valencia rearguard had real problems coping with the little and large combination of Munitis and Nikola Zigic.
The giant Serb striker was menace when Racing attacked as he used his height and strength to great affect, and none more so than when opening the scoring after 20 minutes.
With Munitis arriving at the far post, Zigic picked out his partner and the former Real Madrid and Deportivo goalscorer slotted past Santiago Cañizares.
Minutes later, the away team could have grabbed a second when Zigic again played the providing role and set up Gonzalo Colsa, but this time the Valencia custodian saved.
The hosts hit back and attacked in waves, with Miguel Ángel Angulo and David Villa having the best chances before the break to equalise.
Racing were not content to sit back on their lead and hold out and they struck a second just after the hour mark when Oriol came up from the back to connect with a Munitis' corner and head home from close range.
It was a goal that stunned the home side and made their efforts to reduce the arrears even more desperate.
David Villa, Asier Del Horno and Fernando Morientes all had chances, while Joaquín embarked on an ambitious run in the closing stages, but that too ended without success
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if they just had a bit of consistency, they would have been way infront of Barca by now 