Valencia only managed to get a meagre point from yet another disappointing home match at Mestalla. David Villa and Pablo Aimar had both come close to scoring, but Daniel Aranzubía was a wall between the Athletic sticks, writes Aaron Marcus.

Los Ché enjoyed the lions’ share of play from start to finish, but suffered a soft, unlucky goal after Joseba Etxeberría (19 min) headed an Pablo Orbaiz free-kick backwards to edge a past Santi Cañizares who screamed his lungs out at his defence.

With Athletic defender Francisco Tarantino sent off for, despite no connections with the director, over-violent play, Javier Clemente took Yeste off to beef up his midfield. It seemed the visitors were content to play a waiting game and sit on their fortunate win.

Things were evened up after another free-kick: this time favouring the hosts. Aimar cannily set up a lightning free-kick that left him in the Basque area to snap a pass back and let Vicente (76 min) get the equaliser.

Kluivert, on for the last fifteen minutes, only made it through twelve as the out-of-form, Dutch striker had to be taken off injured. Pablo Aimar sent a shot whipping past the post, and Mista missed an open goal with a poor header.

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