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Valencia were held to a 2-2 draw by Getafe at the Mestalla as new head coach Gary Neville continued his wait for a first Primera Division victory. All four goals were scored in the first half, with Getafe twice taking the lead through Pablo Sarabia and Angel Lafita only for Valencia to respond each time via Paco Alcacer and Santi Mina. Valencia boss Neville has now drawn his first two league matches, although he has suffered a defeat in the Champions League and earned his sole victory in the Copa del Rey. Getafe, who started the day in 15th place but were only a point above the relegation zone, took an early lead on 10 minutes. Jose Gaya fouled Cala just outside the penalty area. Midfielder Sarabia curled the resulting free-kick up over the wall and past the desperate dive of Valencia keeper Jaume. The lead, however, lasted only four minutes. Joao Cancelo advanced down the left channel, before floating the ball into the Getafe area, where Alcacer arrived to send a superb volley inside the near post. Neville was soon lamenting more poor defending as Aymen Abdennour sent a stray pass along the backline, which Victor Rodriguez latched onto before feeding Lafita on the edge of the area and he put the visitors back in front on 22 minutes. Getafe thought they had gone further ahead when centre-back Cala nodded in from close range after a free-kick into the penalty area, but was flagged offside. Valencia equalised again on 35 minutes after substitute Mina, who had just replaced the injured Gaya, tapped home following a flowing team-move as Cancelo charged down the left and fed Alcacer, who slid the ball across the six-yard box. The home side dominated for large spells of the second half, and came close to a late winner when Daniel Parejo's free-kick was clawed off the line by goalkeeper Vicente Guaita. Getafe could have won it themselves in stoppage time, but Lafita saw his effort come back off the crossbar.
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