Having failed to win a La Liga match in nine attempts, Gary finally recorded his first domestic win against Espanyol, which was followed up by a 6-0 trouncing of Rapid Wien in the Europa League – on Gary’s birthday, no less.
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Neville told reporters: “Obviously the result makes it my best night in Valencia”.
Santi Mina finished with two goals and three assists, while Alvaro Negredo scored for a third consecutive game in all competitions. We can’t celebrate victories [too much] midway through the season.
Prior to Neville’s maiden victory, some have travelled to the club’s training ground and waited at the city’s airport to scream their displeasure at Neville and his players.
Asked if he felt this could be the turning point in his managerial career Neville said: ‘I never got low enough to believe a big result was needed as a sort of tipping point but we have shown great spirit and my faith is strong in this group’.
For Rapid coach Zoran Barisic the match was a humbling experience.
“The most incredible bit was the fans stayed with us, they stayed with every single player, they stayed with me”, said Neville.
Lukas Julis’s second-half header gave Sparta Prague a 1-0 advantage over Krasnodar.
“Tonight we saw what level we need to keep playing at, and we have to keep it that way”.
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However, speaking to reporters ahead of the Europa League clash against Rapid Vienna, Neville stressed that Ayestaran’s appointment had been a long time coming.
