Valencia began their Spanish League title defence yesterday with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Mallorca while Deportivo de la Coruna slumped to a surprise 2-4 home defeat to Real Betis in the opening round of matches.On an incident-packed day which produced 32 goals, FC Barcelona drew 2-2 with Atletico de Madrid and Real Sociedad defeated Athletic de Bilbao 4-2. Elsewhere, Rayo Vallecano drew 2-2 with Alaves; Recreativo de Huelva lost 3-2 to Malaga and Villarreal drew 2-2 with Osasuna. Sevilla lost 0-1 at home to Celta de Vigo. Valencia, which last season lifted the title for the first time in 31 years, began the new season where it left off, making the most of its few chances and giving a masterly defensive display.Uruguayan midfielder Gonzalo de los Santos netted in the 10th minute with Spanish international Ruben Baraja adding a second with spectacular 55th-minute volley, making it a poor start for Mallorca’s new coach Gregorio Manzano. Betis outclassed Deportivo to gain the day’s shock result and present Victor Fernandez with a marvelous start as coach.The club’s recent signing from AS Roma, Brazilian midfielder Marcos Assuncao, began the goal rush in the 20th minute with a superb shot from the edge of the area. The club’s other big-name arrival this summer, former Barcelona forward Alfonso Perez, made it a great day for the newcomers by converting a 25th-minute penalty, awarded after Spanish international Joaquin Sanchez was upended by left back Enrique Romero.Deportivo’s Dutch striker Roy Makaay scored eight minutes later but midfielder Arzu Garcia, making his league debut, headed home just before half time to restore Betis’ two-goal lead. Even worse for the home side, Joaquin netted a fourth goal in the 53rd minute after Alfonso had made a forceful run down the left wing and sent over a perfect cross.Deportivo substitute Diego Tristan, on for portuguese defender Jorge Andrade, netted a 76th-minute spot kick after being fouled by Spanish international defender Juanito Gutierrez. Uruguayan striker Fernando Correa levelled four minutes from time as newly promoted Atletico Madrid gained an encouraging draw at Barcelona in its first match in the top flight after a two-year absence.The Catalan team’s midfielder, Luis Enrique Martinez, netted in the sixth and 56th minutes with right back Jorge Otero scoring Atletico’s first goal on the stroke of half time with a cross which eluded home goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
