Che halt Depor title charge

Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio was the hero for Valencia with a goal in each half to boost his side's hopes of a Champions League place.

The visitors moved ahead after 13 minutes when Aurelio deftly nodded home after Depor goalkeeper Juanmi could only palm out a fierce strike from Vicente.

Javier Irureta's men worked hard to find a way back into the match, but created few clear-cut chances with Roy Makaay isolated as he ploughed a lone furrow up front.

However, the hosts dragged themselves back on terms in controversial fashion three minutes after the interval.

Donato's header from a right-wing corner was adjudged to have been palmed over the line by Santiago Canizares, though replays appeared to show otherwise.

Valencia will feel that justice was served though on 63 minutes, when Aurelio grabbed his second of the night.

The pacy defender robbed Manuel Pablo forty yards from goal before confidently striding on to easily beat Juanmi with a precise left-footed shot inside the near post.

Deportivo piled forward in the closing stages in search of a leveller, but a combination of good defending and poor finishing ensured that Rafa Benitez's men held on for maximum points.

Elsewhere in La Primera, embattled Atletico Madrid lifted some of the gloom surrounding the club with an excellent 2-0 away win at Racing Santander.

A second half brace from Javi Moreno (63, 74) - the second being a penalty - was enough to seal victory for Luis Aragones's men.

The triumph moves Atletico up to eighth in the table, and re-ignites the club's hopes of a Uefa Cup place.