Valencia share draw with Getafe; Espanyol fight off Las Palmas
BARCELONA, Spain -- Valencia coach Gary Neville remained winless in his second Spanish league match after a 2-2 draw at home against Getafe on Saturday.
Getafe's Pablo Sarabia scored from a free kick early, only for Spain striker Paco Alcacer to equalize five minutes later by skillfully stabbing home Joao Cancelo's cross.
Getafe went back in front through Angel Lafita, but Valencia substitute Santi Mina went on for the injured Jose Gaya and his first touch was to tap in Alcacer's pass, all in the first half.
Valencia was fortunate not to concede a late goal to Lafita, who missed a point-blank opportunity moments before hitting the crossbar in stoppage time.
''In the first half of the game we made some mistakes. It is a pity, because the effort has been enormous,'' Neville said. ''I know that the results will follow.''
Neville started as coach with a 2-0 home loss to Lyon in the Champions League, followed by a 1-1 draw at Eibar in the league. The former Manchester United defender got his first win, 2-0 over third-tier Barakaldo, in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
Also on Saturday, Sevilla drew 0-0 at Real Betis in an ill-tempered Seville derby that featured 12 yellow cards - seven for Betis - to just two scoring opportunities, both by Sevilla's Kevin Gameiro that were saved by goalkeeper Antonio Adan.
Sevilla remained in seventh place, one above Valencia.
Espanyol striker Felipe Caicedo scored in the second half to give coach Constantin Galca a 1-0 win over visitors Las Palmas in his league debut.
Right back Javi Lopez recovered the ball to start a counterattack that he finished off by crossing for Caicedo to score. Galca, a former Espanyol player, won his first match in charge when Espanyol eliminated Levante from the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.
Deportivo La Coruna hosted Eibar late.
