Valencia 4 - 0 Eibar: Valencia fire four as hat-trick star Paco Alcacer torments Eibar

Posted Thursday, April 21, 2016 by PA

Valencia continued their recent revival with a convincing 4-0 Primera Division defeat of Eibar that was inspired by a hat-trick from striker Paco Alcacer.

The victory was their third in succession, following previous successes away at Barcelona and at home over Sevilla, and takes them up to eighth place from 13th, after their recent struggles towards the foot of Spain's top flight.

Since succeeding Gary Neville, Pako Ayestaran - Rafael Benitez's former assistant manager at Valencia and Liverpool - has now overseen three wins and a defeat, and ended any lingering fears one of the country's biggest clubs were at risk of relegation.

The talented Alcacer, 22, gave the hosts the lead in the 10th minute having missed the penalty awarded for Dani Garcia's foul on Daniel Parejo. Eibar goalkeeper Asier Riesgo could only parry Alcacer's effort straight back into his path, from where the striker comfortably finished into a near-open goal.

With pressure growing in their pursuit of another, Valencia's second goal came 18 minutes later. Receiving possession from Joao Cancelo, from directly in front of goal Alcacer comfortably sent a right-footed shot into the top right corner.

He secured his hat-trick five minutes before half-time, when heading in from close range after Rodrigo's well-placed cross.

Cancelo added a fourth in the second half, by shooting into the top right in the 56th minute when Rodrigo found him in the penalty area.

The result pushes Eibar down to 11th from 10th place.