New-look Valencia maintain strong start

MADRID - Valencia continued their unbeaten start to the Spanish season to move into second place with a comfortable 3-1 win at home to Espanyol on Sunday.

Despite missing their reported 28 million euro ($36 million, £22.3 million) deadline day capture from Manchester City, Alvaro Negredo, due to a foot injury, Los Che were still too good for the Catalans as Pablo Piatti fired them into a seventh-minute lead.

Dani Parejo then doubled the hosts' advantage just after the hour mark and Paco Alcacer rounded off his fine week after scoring on his competitive international debut for Spain against Macedonia when he made it 3-0 17 minutes from time.

A Sergio Garcia penalty in stoppage time was all Espanyol could muster as they remain without a win so far this season.

Valencia lead champions Atletico Madrid on goal difference on seven points, just two points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Earlier, Elche edged Rayo Vallecano 3-2 in an action-packed game to move into the top half of the table with their first victory of the new campaign.