Valencia earns 1st win thanks to own goal and late penalty (The Associated Press)

Valencia needed to win no matter what to try and change its fortune after one of its worst starts ever in the Spanish league, and it did it with the help of an own goal and a late penalty kick against Alaves on Thursday. Fans breathed a huge sigh of relief at the final whistle as Valencia salvaged the 2-1 victory that halted a four-game losing streak and left the team without a coach and in crisis. Daniel Parejo scored the winner by converting an 88th-minute penalty kick at Mestalla Stadium, moving Valencia out of last place in its first game following the firing of coach Pako Ayestaran.