Valencia vs Real Madrid, match report: Gary Neville says he's in it for long-term as team frustrate 10-man Real after Alcacer equaliser

Valencia 2 Real Madrid 2

Paco Alcacer celebrates heading Valencia’s equaliser with seven minutes to go at the Mestalla (Getty)

Gary Neville is still waiting for his first win as Valencia coach but he so nearly grabbed it in his sixth game in charge at Rafa Benitez’s expense.

The dramatic nature of what he described as Valencia’s “best performance” since he took over helped provoke a U-turn of sorts over his future.

Having told Sky Sports he does not see himself as a manager long term he said: “I was talking about 15 or 20 years ahead. I want to be here for longer than six months. I want to be a coach for longer than six months but I know I have to prove myself.”

Nights like this will help him do that.

However, Paco Alcacer got the equaliser a minute later, leaving both coaches without the victory they needed but breathing a sigh of relief – it could have been worst.

Before the game the adulation from the home supporters for Benitez cannot have been comfortable for Neville. Not only did they sing his name, they also unfurled a banner reading “Thanks Rafa, you gave us the best years of our lives” behind one of the goals at the Mestalla.

If Neville’s reign lasts no longer than six months, Benitez would be a popular replacement. The Mestalla would like him as much as some Real Madrid supporters want rid of him. Perhaps the praise for the opposing coach helped Real as they took the lead after 16 minutes.

The goal was a work of art, from Karim Benzema winning the ball on the edge of the penalty area to Bale’s back-heel for Cristiano Ronaldo, to the Portuguese striker’s disguised pass back to Benzema. The French forward finished well and Madrid had the lead.

Valenica were not finished though. They upped the tempo and Andre Gomes started to dominate midfield and might have scored had he not checked back onto his favoured right foot, allowing Sergio Ramos to recover and make a crucial block.

Gomes did work an equaliser though right on half-time when he forced his way to the byline and waited for the clumsy Pepe challenge to bring him down. Dani Parejo rolled in the penalty and Neville’s team were deservedly back on level terms.

Real were furious though. Bale had been tripped in the box by Lucas Orban and the Welshman should have been awarded a spot-kick. A point he made to referee Jose Sanchez Martinez after he had blown his half-time whistle.

Gary Neville is still without a win as Valencia coach (EPA)

Gomez was the first to test Keylor Navas in the second half with a shot that moved viciously in the air. Benitez brought Lucas Vazquez on for Benzema and switched to a 4-4-2, but the formation lasted three minutes because Kovacic was sent off for a foul on Joao Cancelo.

Ten-man Real then took the lead when Gareth Bale headed in Toni Kroos’ free-kick and the visitors celebrated on the touchline as if the game had been won.

They reckoned without Alcacer. When Rodrigo de Paul crossed from the right, Rodrigo headed the ball on and the Spain forward nodded in the equaliser.

Valencia (4-3-3): Domenech; Barragan, Abdennour, Santos, Orban (Rodrigo, 80); A Gomes, Parejo (Negredo, 84), Danilo; De Paul (Fuego, 86), Cancelo, Alcacer

Real Madrid (4-3-3) Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Kovacic, Modric; Bale, Benzema (Vazquez, 68), Ronaldo.

Referee: J S Martinez