Valencia overcame their midweek Copa del Rey disappointment with an entertaining victory over Almeria at the Mestalla.
An early strike from Joaquin and two goals from David Villa proved enough to see off the resurgent Andalusians, for whom striker Alvaro Negredo replied twice.
However, Los Che can count themselves fortunate to have held out for maximum points after being carved open several times late on with new signing Cesar Sanchez called on to produce an outstanding match-winning save from Pablo Piatti in the dying moments.
The hosts came into the match rather deflated after the heartbreak of going out of the cup to a last-minute goal at Sevilla and they probably thought this game was going to be a breeze when Joaquin broke the deadlock with their first attack after six minutes.
The winger arrived unmarked at the back post to meet a David Silva cross and, despite failing to make clean contact with the ball, his effort bounced down into the ground beyond the reach of Diego Alves.
Villa then came close to doubling the lead when he struck the post with a shot from outside the box on 19 minutes but the hosts soon realized they would not have everything their own way when Almeria produced a stunning equalizer on the break moments later.
Albert Crusat evaded the attention of Miguel with a sublime turn and flick, leaving the Portuguese full-back in his wake as he fired over a dangerous cross towards Negredo.
The ball appeared to be sailing beyond Negredo but the striker showed great technique to steer the ball home from an awkward height.
However, parity would only last six minutes as Valencia regained the lead with a penalty after Juan Mata went down under the challenge of Carlos Garcia Badias, allowing Villa to step up and smash a confident spot-kick into the bottom corner.
The visitors then went in search of a second equalizer and provided most of the goalmouth action for half-an-hour either side of the break but Villa appeared to have sealed the victory when he scored again on 61 minutes with a left-footed strike from the edge of the box.
But Almeria would not lie down and reduced the deficit back to one with their next attack as Negredo stooped to head home a cross from Miguel Angel Corona, although Carlos Marchena will be disappointed at swiping fresh air with an embarrassing attempt at a clearance.
The visitors then gained a new lease of life and Kalu Uche missed a glorious chance to level the scores with a free header from Corona's corner but he could not guide his effort on target.
It was not to be their final opportunity, though, as Valencia held on for dear life in the closing stages in the face of persistent Almeria pressure.
And they had were indebted to Cesar when he pulled off an incredible save down to his left when Piatti burst through unchallenged in the fourth minute of injury time.
