Getafe add to Valencia's woes

Valencia's slump continued tonight as they were defeated 3-1 in the capital by Getafe. Unai Emery's men have won just three games since the turn of the year and were humbled by Real Zaragoza in midweek, leaving all eyes on them tonight. They failed dismally, though, with their defence parting on three occasions as Jaime Gavilan's delivery proved too hot to handle. He laid on goals for Pedro Rios, Miku and drew an own goal out of Bruno - all after Roberto Soldado had given Valencia an early lead. Valencia's fragile confidence was visible from the off as Getafe looked to get at them. Diego Castro tried his luck from distance and then, with four minutes on the clock, Pedro Rios took aim from inside the box and saw his effort smothered by Vicente Guaita at his near post. The visitors clearly decided attack was the best form of defence and took the lead after five minutes. Jonas' reverse pass found Soldado and the former Getafe man crunched a drive into the top right-hand corner for his 16th league goal of the season. He opted not to celebrate at his former home, but his old supporters were cheering themselves with 12 minutes gone. Gavilan's cross stood up nicely for Rios and he arrived right on time to nod an unstoppable header beyond Guaita. Soldado went back on the offensive and dribbled his way into the box, but just as he was about to pull the trigger he was foiled by Miguel Moya and the ball sprayed away from goal. The missed chance was a costly one, with Miku putting Getafe 2-1 up with 24 minutes gone. Again it was a cross into the box that proved to be Valencia`s undoing, with Gavilan's ball in finished off by Miku's head. Two quickly became three as some more shambolic defending cost Valencia. Gavilan's looping free-kick was being shepherded out by Bruno, but he somehow got his body in the way, the ball hit him and ballooned over Guaita for an own goal. The pressure continued after the break, with Mehdi Lacen taking aim from distance and nearly making it four. Seemingly tired of setting up others, Gavilan then looked to score himself but saw his 35-yard effort kept out by Guaita. Valencia's fortunes were summed up by the normally lethal Soldado nodding wide from six yards and when Jeremy Mathieu wildly side-footed away from goal when well set - it was clear it was not their night.