Two goals in three minutes from Joaquin Sanchez gave Valencia a vital 2-0 victory over Recreativo Huelva and moved the 2002 and 2004 Spanish champions up to fourth position in La Liga on Saturday.
Joaquin got his first right on the hour from the right-hand edge of the six yard box after a defense-splitting cross by David Villa.
The second from the right winger, one of the quickest men in the Spanish first division, was a wonderful chip from just inside the penalty box after a pass from David Silva.
Valencia also nearly scored a third when Miguel Angel Angulo hit the post 15 minutes from time.
Joaquin's form in recent games could herald a recall to the national side, for whom he has won 42 caps but not played since August last year, ahead of Spain's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Latvia and Liechtenstein in June.
Spanish national manager Luis Aragones conceded this week that "the moment has come when he [Joaquin] could return but on some occasions he needs a psychologist."
Valencia now have 56 points from 32 games and keep up the pressure on Spain's top trio, Barcelona, Sevilla and Real Madrid, who are contesting the tightest three-way title race for five years.
Atletico Madrid and Real Betis battled each other to a standstill with a 0-0 draw earlier on Saturday, a result which did little to help either side.
Betis remain embroiled in the fight to avoid going down. By contrast, Atletico stay in sixth place but are still hoping to return Europe next season after an eight-year absence.
The best chance to break the deadlock came five minutes from time when Atletico's Bulgarian international striker Martin Petrov had a right foot shot which just skimmed the crossbar.
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