Valencia: Gary Neville stays grounded after 6-0 thumping of Rapid Vienna

Gary Neville refused to get carried away after his Valencia team swept aside Rapid Vienna 6-0 in the Europa League round of 32 first leg at the Mestalla. Santi Mina scored twice and set up three more goals for Dani Parejo, Alvaro Negredo and Andre Gomes in the first half as the hosts all but sealed their progress to the last 16 stage.

It is the first time Valencia have won back-to-back matches since October, with Neville overseeing the first La Liga victory of his reign against Espanyol in the weekend. "Obviously the result makes it my best night in Valencia," the former Manchester United captain was quoted as saying by Press Association.

"But I've never celebrated victories halfway through the season and this will not be the first time."

'Turning point'

Neville has struggled in his first managerial job, with Valencia winning just one of 10 La Liga matches and losing 8-1 on aggregate to Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey during his reign. However, he hopes the successive victories can spark a revival in the club's fortunes.

"I hope to start a positive run but it is dangerous to start thinking about turning points," the 41-year-old stated. "I never thought I needed a result to see a turning point — sometimes we cannot explain how we have not got wins.

"The squad is stronger, more confident. I'm very happy about tonight but now I'm focused on Granada."

Rapid coach Zoran Barisic admitted that his team had been outclassed and described the result as the worst of his career. "We cannot play at this level. Our defence did not do well but in the second half the team was better," he said.

"This defeat is something that will hurt for a long time. Until today we had had a good Europa League. But Valencia showed a lot of class. I think we can assume we are eliminated but we will still try to win in Vienna."