Cesare Prandelli off to winning start with Valencia in La Liga
Playing smart football with quick transitions and efficient ball possession, Valencia topped Sporting with two goals by striker Mario Suarez at El Molinon Stadium.
It was the team's third win in eight rounds as Valencia reached 14th place with nine points, two more than Sporting, now in the relegation zone after its fifth straight loss.
"What I liked the most was the attitude of the team," Prandelli said. "I'm very happy, but we still have a lot to improve, we still need to work on many things. The three points gives the team confidence to keep working."
Valencia scored first with Suarez's right-footed shot from inside the area after a cross in the seventh minute, but Sporting striker Carlos Castro equalized with a close-range header in the 41st.
Suarez's winner came with an easy shot from in front of the goal after Sporting defenders failed to clear a ball crossed into the area in the 65th.
"It was important to get the win," Suarez said. "We have a new coach, new ideas, new concepts."
"I'm trying to give the team an identity," Prandelli said. "Once we get that, we can start thinking about bigger goals."
Villarreal 5, Celta Vigo 0
Roberto Soriano scored two goals in the first 12 minutes to lead fifth-placed Villarreal to a comfortable win over Celta Vigo.
French striker Cedric Bakambu also scored in the first half as Villarreal earned its fourth victory, jumping to 16 points, two less than the leaders.
It was the team's biggest win so far this season.
Athletic Bilbao 3, Real Sociedad 2
Athletic had won four in a row before a loss at Malaga in the previous round.
It trails leaders Atletico and Real Madrid by three points.
Alaves 1, Malaga 1
Promoted Alaves was close to winning for the third time this season until conceding a late goal against Malaga.