Madrid - Valencia moved level with La Liga champions Atletico Madrid in third with a comfortable 2-0 win over David Moyes's Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Argentine winger Pablo Piatti bagged both goals in a three minute spell early in the second-half as he slotted home low crosses from Dani Parejo and Sofiane Feghouli.
A fourth defeat in 14 league game under Moyes leaves Sociedad still in 11th.
Atletico can move three points clear of Los Che once more before the two sides meet at the Vicente Calderon next weekend when they travel to Sevilla later on Sunday.