Champions Valencia claim nervous victory

Valencia edged out Villarreal 2-1 in a nervy Mediterranean derby on Monday to get their Primera Liga title defence off to a positive start.

Claudio Ranieri's side took the lead in the 27th minute when Carlos Marchena rose highest to head in a Vicente free kick. Ruben Baraja was left unmarked to score a similar goal 11 minutes later for 2-0.

Diego Forlan, Villarreal's new signing from Manchester United, was left alone at the far post to pull a goal back after 79 minutes but Valencia managed to hold on.

The result left Real Zaragoza as league leaders following the first round of matches, courtesy of their 3-1 win at home to Getafe on Sunday.

Barcelona, runners-up to Valencia last season, began the season with a 2-0 win away to Racing Satander on Sunday, while Real Madrid eked out a 1-0 win at Real Mallorca. Deportivo Coruna were held to a 1-1 draw away to Espanyol on Saturday.

Valencia started the new league campaign in the sort of form that earned them a sixth title last season and David Albelda almost gave them the lead in the fourth minute when his swinging half-volley was tipped away by Pepe Reina.

Smart headers from Marchena and Baraja, from perfectly struck Vicente free kicks, gave them the lead but Villarreal might easily have levelled the scores.

Juan Roman Riquelme twice hit the frame of the goal with free kicks and brought an outstanding save from Santiago Canizares with another long shot.

Forlan's goal gave the visitors hope of a point but despite a few nervous moments the champions held on.