A second half fightback from Athletic Bilbao wasn’t enough to stop Valencia continuing their unbeaten run and moving to third in La Liga.
Los Che took early control of the match at the Mestalla with Simone Zaza opening the scoring – his sixth of the campaign – before Dani Parejo’s penalty doubled the lead.
Despite experienced striker Aritz Aduriz pulling one back for the visitors just before the hour mark, Marcelino’s side two-goal cushion was restored by Rodrigo Moreno soon after.
Raul Garcia ensured it was a nervy finish for the hosts with a strike fourteen minutes from time but it was too little too late for the Basques, who stay 13th after a slow start.
